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The full form of NCERT is the National Council of Educational Research and Training. It’s an important group in India that helps decide what kids learn in school and how they learn it. Think of them as the people who make sure all students across India get a good, similar education.
What is NCERT?
NCERT stands for National Council of Educational Research and Training, which is an agency of the Indian government. Its primary function is to develop school curricula and publish student textbooks for students in class 1 through higher secondary. If you have ever read or used a textbook for science, mathematics or history in an Indian school, there is a reasonable chance that you used an NCERT book or work inspired by the NCERT works.
NCERT is like the main brain behind the curriculum for many schools across India. It is an established organization that does various research into child methods of learning best. Its head office (or headquarters) is located in New Delhi, the capital of India.
History and Establishment of NCERT
NCERT did not come into existence on its own. It was established a long time ago, in 1961, by the Government of India. At the time, the leaders of India wanted to give every child in any part of the country a good, equal education.
Before NCERT, every state and school had its own form of teaching. The government realized that it needed a unified, strong organization that would give everyone the same opportunity to learn, and that could improve the quality of education in this country. So NCERT was created as an organization to assist schools in teaching better and to ease learning for students.
Functions and Responsibilities of NCERT
NCERT plays a number of key roles in shaping what you learn in school. Below are a few major roles that it performs:
- Curriculum Design and Development: They determine the topics to be taught in various grades in subjects such as sciences, maths, social studies and languages, amongst a number of other subjects.
- Preparation and Publication of Textbooks: This is perhaps the most well-known role of NCERT! NCERT prepares, designs and publishes the textbooks that millions of students use on a daily basis. The textbooks are affordable and user-friendly, and remain well-researched.
- Training and Capacity Building of Teachers: NCERT also plays a role in improving the capacity of teachers. They develop trainings for teachers to teach them new methods of explaining lessons and controlling classroom situations.
- Educational Research and Innovation: Their work involves constantly researching student learning and investigating new methods of teaching. They pilot new concepts for effective and more enjoyable educational practices.
- National and State-Level Coordination: NCERT collaborates with the state governments and other boards of education to ensure that their strategies align with what is taking place in schools across India.
Importance of NCERT in Indian Education System
The NCERT has a significant impact on the schooling system in India. Here are some reasons why NCERT is so important:
- Standardization of Education: With so many schools using NCERT books and following the NCERT curriculum, it helps to ensure, students are learning similar things throughout the entire country of India. This means when a student moves states, they should still find familiar topics (they might come with a different context, but they will be familiar).
- Basis for Other School Boards: Because of NCERT’s importance and how they are presented in textbooks, almost all other school boards, including CBSE (which we will discuss next), use NCERT textbooks as the primary base.
- Impact on Students’ Learning: The linear and straightforward way NCERT textbooks present ideas helps students easily grasp even difficult topics. NCERT is often able to write in a way that adds an exploratory or critical-thinking context and a knowledge base for problem-solving, instead of the expectation of rote memorization.
- Helpful in Developing Educational Policies: Topics researched by NCERT, as well as NCERT recommendations, can be extremely helpful to government policymakers as new laws and changes to current education guidelines are proposed.
Difference Between NCERT and CBSE
Sometimes people get confused between NCERT and CBSE. While they both work closely together, they have different main jobs. Here’s a simple way to understand the difference:
| Aspect | NCERT | CBSE |
| Full Form | National Council of Educational Research and Training | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Core Function | Develops school curriculum and publishes textbooks | Conducts public examinations for schools and grants affiliation to schools |
| Primary Role | An academic and research institution (decides what students learn) | An examination and school-managing body (decides how students are tested and regulates affiliated schools) |
| Scope of Work | Focuses on educational research, curriculum design, syllabus formulation, and production of educational materials (textbooks, teaching aids) for classes I to XII. | Primarily responsible for conducting the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. Also sets academic standards for affiliated schools and manages their administration. |
| Relationship | CBSE largely follows the curriculum and uses the textbooks developed by NCERT for its affiliated schools. | CBSE is one of the many examination boards that uses NCERT’s academic framework. |
| Target Audience | Education policymakers, curriculum developers, teachers, and ultimately, students across various boards (including CBSE and some state boards). | Students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools, teachers, and school administrations directly under its purview. |
| Output/Product | Textbooks, syllabus guidelines, teacher training modules, research papers. | Examination results, academic certificates, affiliation norms for schools. |
FAQs: Full Form of NCERT
What is the full form of NCERT?
NCERT stands for the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
When was NCERT established?
NCERT was established in the year 1961.
What is the role of NCERT in Indian education?
NCERT's main role is to create and publish school textbooks, design curriculum, train teachers, and conduct research to improve education across India.
How is NCERT different from CBSE?
NCERT develops the curriculum and textbooks, while CBSE is an examination board that conducts exams and affiliates schools, often using NCERT materials.
Are NCERT textbooks mandatory for schools?
While not strictly mandatory for all schools, NCERT textbooks are widely recommended and form the basis for many state boards and, especially, CBSE syllabus.
Where is NCERT headquartered?
NCERT's headquarters are located in New Delhi, India.
