!['Jana Nayagan' box office collection day 22 [Live]: Vijay and Pooja Hegde starrer nears Rs 195 crore India net as the film enters fourth week](https://dailysamchar.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1786609742_photo.jpg "‘Jana Nayagan’ box office collection day 22 [Live]: Vijay and Pooja Hegde starrer nears Rs 195 crore India net as the film enters fourth week")
[
Parliamentary Panel Raises Alarm Over Widespread Vacancies at NCERT and CBSE
New Delhi, [Date of Publication] – A recent report by a parliamentary committee has brought to light a significant staffing crisis at two of India’s most crucial educational institutions: the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The findings, presented to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, reveal that over half of NCERT’s sanctioned posts are vacant, while 44 percent of positions at CBSE remain unfilled, raising serious concerns about the operational efficacy and future of educational policy and examination management.
The Tenth Report (Eighteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Estimates (2026-27), titled ‘Budget and Policy Aspects for Providing Affordable and Quality Education in the Country including Review of Central Board of Secondary Education’, underscores the urgent need for addressing these critical staff shortages.
NCERT Grapples with 1,596 Vacant Posts
NCERT, an apex body instrumental in shaping India’s educational landscape, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is facing an unprecedented human resource challenge. The committee acknowledged NCERT’s pivotal role in developing frameworks like the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCFFS) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE), and its ongoing efforts in creating syllabi and textbooks aligned with NEP 2020.
However, the report painted a grim picture of its internal staffing. As of October 2025, against a sanctioned strength of 2,844 posts across its various branches, NCERT’s actual strength stood at a mere 1,248. This leaves a staggering 1,596 posts vacant, translating to more than 56% of its total positions.
The vacancies are spread across crucial areas:
- Academic Posts: 145 vacant
- School Teaching: 131 vacant
- Ministerial Posts: 916 vacant
- Ancillary Posts: 404 vacant
“The Committee are of the view that having so many posts vacant in NCERT which is an apex body instrumental in rethinking and reshaping education in a manner that is national in scope, deserve urgent attention of the Ministry,” the report stated.
The committee urged the Ministry to make “sincere effort… for filling up of various vacancies,” emphasizing NCERT’s crucial role in national growth through educational transformation.
CBSE Plagued by 933 Unfilled Positions
The CBSE, responsible for conducting major national board examinations and affiliating thousands of schools, is also battling a “major shortage” of permanent staff. The report indicated that out of 2,117 approved positions, 933 posts – a significant 44 percent – remain vacant. The shortage is particularly acute among Group C support staff, with 595 positions unfilled.
The committee expressed deep concern that CBSE is currently relying on temporary and contractual staff to manage its day-to-day operations.
“The Committee are of the view that such shortage of permanent staff may put the safety, quality, and smooth running of major national board exams at serious risk,” the report cautioned.
The panel strongly recommended that CBSE “should stop relying on temporary contractual workers for sensitive exam works” and initiate immediate, fast-track recruitment drives to fill all vacant positions in a time-bound manner.
Growing Responsibilities Amidst Staffing Woes
Adding to the concern, the committee noted that CBSE, a self-funded autonomous body, has seen substantial growth in its operations. The number of affiliated schools has surged from 3,787 in 1992-93 to an impressive 31,234 by October 8, 2025. To cater to this expansion, CBSE has broadened its network to 25 regional offices and five sub-regional offices.
The student population under CBSE’s purview has also witnessed a dramatic increase, with student numbers rising to over 1.70 million in Class XII and over 2.38 million in Class X by 2025. The parliamentary panel highlighted that these growing responsibilities, particularly the critical task of conducting examinations for millions of students, are being handled under severe staffing constraints.
The committee’s report serves as a critical call to action, urging both the Ministry of Education and the respective organizations to prioritize the immediate filling of these vital vacancies. Ensuring adequate permanent staffing at NCERT and CBSE is paramount to maintaining the quality and integrity of India’s school education system and safeguarding the smooth conduct of national examinations.
