More than half of all sanctioned posts at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) remain vacant. The premier educational body has conducted no recruitment for two consecutive years. This critical staffing issue affects the organization’s ability to fulfill its mandate. Data confirming these vacancies was shared in Parliament on Wednesday.
Of 2,844 sanctioned positions across NCERT and its associated bodies, 1,625 are unfilled. This represents a staggering 57% vacancy rate . NCERT’s constituent bodies include Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) and the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET). Vacancies are present at all levels, but are most severe among non-academic staff (Group C).
NCERT Vacancies Detailed
Data presented in Parliament revealed significant staffing gaps across NCERT’s various employee groups:
| Level | Sanctioned Posts | In Position | Vacancies (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 647 | 439 | 32% |
| Group B | 1276 | 369 | 71% |
| Group C | 1520 | 411 | 73% |
These figures highlight the acute shortage. Non-academic Group C staff, essential for daily operations, has 73% of its posts vacant. Group B positions show a 71% vacancy rate. Academic positions, designated as Group A, also face a substantial 32% vacancy rate.
Zero Recruitment and Contractual Staff Reliance
NCERT conducted no recruitment drives during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years . This two-year hiring freeze has led to an increased reliance on contractual staff. In the 2022-23 period, NCERT employed 760 contractual staff. This number was 655 in 2024-25, indicating continued dependence.
A parliamentary standing committee on education has previously stressed the need to end the system of contractual hiring. Despite this, permanent recruitment remains slow. Over the last five years, NCERT hired only 229 academic and 216 non-academic staff. In 2022-23, the body hired just one non-academic staff member.
Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary responded to the vacancy concerns in Parliament. He stated that “recruitment is a continuous process.” He added that “efforts are made to fill up the vacancies as per the provisions of the relevant recruitment rules.” The question was raised by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MP Samirul Islam from West Bengal.
Widespread Vacancies Across Educational Institutions
The staffing crisis extends beyond NCERT. Data presented to the Rajya Sabha by MP Javel Ali revealed significant vacancies in other autonomous bodies under the Department of School Education.
- The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) , which regulates teacher training, has 60 non-academic staff positions vacant.
- The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) reports 97 administrative staff vacancies. It also has 89 vacancies in its department of school education. NIOS provides open and distance learning opportunities.
- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) , responsible for national examinations, faces 257 administrative and 138 non-teaching vacancies.
Earlier reports also detailed severe staff shortages in prominent residential school systems:
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) have 4,269 teaching positions vacant. They also lack 1,829 non-teaching and 35 administrative staff members.
- Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) report 8,457 teaching and 1,716 non-teaching staff vacancies across their network.
These widespread staffing deficits across NCERT, NCTE, NIOS, CBSE, JNVs, and KVs highlight a systemic challenge. These shortages impact educational research, teacher training, open schooling, and central school administration nationwide. Addressing these vacancies is crucial for the effective functioning of India’s educational framework.