The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), India's apex body for school education, has been officially designated as a deemed-to-be university, enabling it to award its own degrees. This decision, made by the Ministry of Education based on recommendations from the University Grants Commission (UGC), includes NCERT's six regional institutes located in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, along with the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal. This status, categorized as 'De Novo', allows NCERT to focus on unique and emerging areas of knowledge. However, the organization is bound by conditions that prevent it from engaging in commercial activities and require adherence to UGC standards for all academic programs. NCERT is also expected to enhance its offerings by initiating research and doctoral programs, participating in national rankings, and establishing an Academic Bank of Credits for its students.