The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), established in 1962 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education), Government of India, is a premier institution dedicated to capacity building and research in educational planning and management in India and South Asia. Located in New Delhi, NIEPA was initially set up as the UNESCO Asian Centre for Educational Planners, Administrators, and Supervisors. It underwent several transformations, becoming the Asian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration in 1965, the National Staff College for Educational Planners and Administrators in 1973, and finally, NIEPA in 1979. In recognition of its pioneering work, the Government of India conferred upon it the status of a Deemed to be University in August 2006, empowering it to award its own degrees.
NIEPA comprises eight academic departments and two centers, each focusing on various aspects of educational policy, planning, and administration. These include the Department of Educational Planning, Department of Educational Finance, Department of School and Non-Formal Education, Department of Educational Management Information System, Department of Educational Administration, Department of Educational Policy, Department of Higher and Professional Education, and Department of Training and Capacity Building in Education. The two centers are the Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education and the National Centre for School Leadership.
The institute offers a range of academic programs, including Master of Arts in Education and Development (M.A.E.D.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for personal and professional advancement, fostering a learner-centric and multidisciplinary approach to education.
NIEPA is also actively involved in organizing seminars, conferences, and training programs at national and international levels, providing platforms for dialogue among educators, administrators, and policymakers. Its commitment to continuous skill development is evident through its refresher courses and consultancy services, aimed at empowering educational institutions and driving innovative solutions in the educational sector.
Under the leadership of Chancellor Mahesh Chandra Pant and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shashikala Wanjari, NIEPA continues to evolve as a beacon of educational excellence, addressing contemporary challenges in governance and management within the education sector. Its mission to create a humane learning society through the advancement of knowledge positions it as a pivotal institution in shaping the future of education in the region.
