The full form of NCERT is the National Council of Educational Research and Training. It is an autonomous organization set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programs for qualitative improvement in school education. The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education; prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develops educational kits, multimedia digital materials, etc.; organize pre-service and in-service training of teachers; and act as an implementation agency for bilateral cultural exchange programs with other countries in the field of school education. The major constituent units of NCERT which are located in different regions of the country are Regional Institutes of Education, National Institute of Education Planning and Administration, Central Institute of Educational Technology, and National Council of Teacher Education.