The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), India's apex body for school education, has officially been granted 'deemed to be university' status by the Ministry of Education. This significant change, effective from March 30, 2023, allows NCERT to expand its mandate beyond just school curriculum design to include the launch of academic programs such as doctoral courses and innovative educational offerings. However, this transition raises concerns regarding the potential dilution of NCERT's autonomy, as faculty members previously warned that such a status could compromise its independence. Under the new framework, NCERT will be required to comply with the University Grants Commission (UGC) standards, including participation in national rankings and accreditation processes. The institution is also prohibited from engaging in any commercial activities. This development follows a lengthy application process initiated by NCERT, culminating in the approval of its compliance report by the UGC's expert committee earlier this year.