The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently been conferred with the prestigious status of a deemed university. This noteworthy development was officially announced by the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan. During the commemoration of NCERT's 63rd foundation day in the national capital, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, made a significant announcement. He highlighted NCERT's substantial contributions in the realms of research, school education, teacher training, and adult literacy.

Furthermore, Mr. Pradhan underscored the transformational potential of NCERT's newfound status as a research university. This elevation will enable the institution to engage in international collaborations and play a pivotal role in shaping the global educational landscape. Additionally, he emphasized that "Jadui Pitara," a play-based learning and teaching material specifically designed for children aged 3 to 8 years, has been developed by NCERT. This innovative resource is poised to emerge as a catalyst for positive change and stands to benefit a staggering 10 crore children across the country.

During his speech, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the importance of creating educational content in students' mother tongues. To facilitate this, he proposed the establishment of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence labs in all seven regional centers of NCERT. He stressed that these centers should be equipped with cutting-edge technologies from across the globe, ensuring future-ready infrastructure, with the aim of positioning India as a global hub for research and innovation.

Furthermore, he urged the Council to standardize the curriculum for teachers' training, particularly in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), aligning it with the NCERT standards.

In consideration of the era of 'Industrial Revolution 4.0,' Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan put forth a proposal to create concise booklets covering diverse subjects. These booklets would serve as valuable resources, offering essential information on topics such as India's COVID-19 management and the Chandrayaan 3 mission. Mr. Pradhan stressed the importance of imparting knowledge about not only the latest advancements but also instilling Indian values and ethos in the minds of the upcoming generations.