New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been given the responsibility of ensuring equal recognition of certificates issued by school boards across India, in a move the government says will eliminate discrimination against students from different boards.
Until now, the task of determining equivalence of qualifications rested with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). But under the new National Education Policy, the Ministry of Education has shifted the responsibility to NCERT, which will carry it out through its National Assessment Centre, PARAKH.
Officials said the change means that Class 10 and 12 mark sheets from CBSE, ICSE and all state boards, including Bihar, will be treated equally for purposes of higher education admissions and government recruitment.
“The process will be academically rigorous, fair and transparent,” the ministry said in a notification issued on Friday, adding that no student will face discrimination on the basis of their school board.
For decades, students from state boards such as Bihar have faced challenges, as their certificates were often undervalued compared with CBSE or ICSE. The disparity created barriers in applying for universities and government jobs, fueling anxiety among students and families.
Education experts have welcomed the reform, saying it will bring clarity, transparency and confidence to millions of students. “This step ensures that students can move forward without worrying about their board being considered inferior,” one academic said.
The government believes the shift will help standardize evaluation across the country and give students from rural and state board backgrounds equal opportunity to compete.
