State Council of Educational Research and Training, Maharashtra

What State Council of Educational Research and Training, Maharashtra does

SCERT Maharashtra is the apex statutory academic body for school education in the state of Maharashtra, India, operating under the School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra. Established in January 1964 in Pune and renamed to its current form in November 2019, the organization is responsible for developing curriculum frameworks and syllabi for Classes 1-12, creating and distributing textbooks and supplementary learning materials, designing assessment frameworks (CCE, PAT, NAS, SLAS, SQAAF, HPC), conducting teacher professional development through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and supporting foundational literacy and numeracy programs (NIPUN Maharashtra, FLN). Its core product portfolio includes the Jivan Shikshan monthly educational magazine (published since 1861, distributed free to ~60,000 schools), extensive question banks for Classes 1-12, bridge courses, value addition materials, and the ULLAS adult literacy program. Content is delivered through a multi-channel architecture spanning the official website (maa.ac.in), the national DIKSHA platform and app, 5 PM e-Vidya television channels, a dedicated YouTube channel hosting webinar series, and Google Drive repositories.

The organization's operational backbone comprises 36 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) plus 3 Regional Vidya Pradhan centers in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Mumbai, giving it coverage across all 36 districts of Maharashtra. Technology infrastructure is built around DIKSHA integration for e-content distribution, SWAYAM PRABHA DTH channels for television-based reach, QR-coded textbooks, and video production capabilities that scaled to 2,560 educational videos in 2024-25 (including 500 Indian Sign Language videos for students with disabilities in the prior year). SCERT coordinates with NCERT as the national apex body, Balbharati on textbook production, Maharashtra Primary Education Council on Samagra Shiksha and STARS project implementation, NCTE on teacher education regulation, and NGOs like Agastya Foundation and Shanti Lal Mutha Foundation on value-add programs.

SCERT Maharashtra operates entirely on a government-funded revenue model with no commercial pricing; all curriculum, textbooks, training, and e-content are provided free of cost to schools, teachers, and students. The only priced offering is the Jivan Shikshan magazine at Rs. 30 per issue or Rs. 300 annual subscription for individual subscribers, while institutional distribution to ~60,000 Zilla Parishad schools is funded through contingency expenditure. The entity has no private equity, venture capital, or listed equity exposure, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity; it is structured as a state government statutory body led by a Director appointed by the state government under the oversight of the Principal Secretary (School Education) and Education Commissioner.

Name

State Council of Educational Research and Training, Maharashtra

Legal name

State Council for Educational Research and Training Maharashtra (महाराष्ट्र राज्य शैक्षणिक संशोधन व प्रशिक्षण परिषद)

Website

https://maa.ac.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SCERT Maharashtra is the apex statutory academic body for school education in Maharashtra, developing curriculum, textbooks, teacher training, and assessment frameworks for Classes 1-12 across ~60,000 schools in 36 districts via 36 DIETs and digital platforms like DIKSHA, fully funded by the state government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public School Education Administration

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping (State/National) (EDAJAFAD), K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA), Assessment, Testing & Exam Prep Publishing (MPAJABAF), K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA)

Keywords

• School curriculum development
• Teacher training programs
• Educational assessment frameworks
• State education research
• Textbook publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Pune

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: SCERT Maharashtra is a government institution fully funded by the Maharashtra State Government, School Education and Sports Department. All educational materials, curriculum, and training programs are provided free of cost to schools, teachers, and students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SCERT Maharashtra develops and distributes state-level school curriculum, textbooks, question banks, teacher training programs, and assessment frameworks for Classes 1-12 across government and aided schools in Maharashtra. It also produces digital educational content distributed through DIKSHA, PM e-Vidya channels, and YouTube, and publishes the Jeevan Shikshan monthly educational magazine. All materials and programs are provided free of cost to schools, teachers, and students.

Product overview

SCERT Maharashtra operates as the apex academic body for school education in Maharashtra, functioning as a platform-plus-modules architecture that develops and distributes curriculum frameworks, learning materials, assessment tools, and training programs across the state. The core portfolio includes the Jivan Shikshan monthly magazine (India's oldest educational magazine since 1861), Question Banks for Classes 1-12, Bridge Courses for academic continuity, Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) materials, Periodic Assessment Tests (PAT), School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAAF), and Foundational Literacy/Numeracy (FLN) resources. These are complemented by specialized modules including Career Guidance (VGPG), Value Addition programs, the ULLAS adult literacy initiative, and Teacher Training programs. Content is distributed through multiple channels including DIKSHA platform, PM SHRI portal, and the official SCERT website, with extensive use of Google Drive for material hosting and YouTube for video content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• जीवन शिक्षण (Jeevan Shikshan): Monthly magazine of the School Education Department, Government of Maharashtra, published since 1956, serving as the official publication of SCERT Maharashtra and distributed free to approximately 60,000 schools across the state.

Products and services

• Jeevan Shikshan Monthly Magazine Maharashtra's oldest monthly educational magazine serving as the official publication of the School Education Department, providing guidance to teachers, parents, and supervisors on educational practices and government policies. Distributed free to approximately 60,000 schools with a nominal Rs. 30 per issue / Rs. 300 annual subscription for individual subscribers.
• Question Bank (Prashnapedhi) Extensive repository of practice questions for Classes 1-10 covering languages (Marathi, English, Urdu), Mathematics, and Science. Available in multiple sets (Sanch A, B, C) with student papers and teacher instructions for each class.
• Bridge Course (Setu Abhyaskram) Remedial bridging program for students transitioning between grades (Classes 2-10) to address learning gaps. Includes pre-test and post-test assessments in Marathi and Urdu mediums across subjects including Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
• Vidya Pravesh School Readiness Program Pre-school readiness program for incoming Class 1 students. Includes teacher guides and student activity books in Marathi and Urdu mediums to ensure smooth transition to formal schooling.
• School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF) Comprehensive framework for school self-evaluation and external assessment to improve educational quality. Includes guidelines, videos, and training materials for implementation.
• State Curriculum and Syllabus Materials State-level curriculum frameworks and syllabi for Classes 1-12 developed in alignment with National Education Policy 2020. Includes subject-wise detailed content and pedagogical approaches.
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Materials Learning materials for early literacy and numeracy development for Classes 1-5 under Nipun Maharashtra. Includes activity books in multiple languages and teacher training manuals.
• Career Guidance Program (VGPG) Vocational guidance and psychological counseling program for students. Includes career cards, webinars every Friday, district-level career fairs, and hackathon competitions.
• ULLAS - New India Literacy Program Adult literacy program under the NavBharat Saksharata Karyakram. Includes primers, volunteer guides, activity books, practice tests, and assessment materials for newly literate adults in Marathi and other regional languages.
• Teacher Training Programs (CPD) Various professional development programs for teachers including Senior Grade, Selection Grade, New Teacher Induction Training (50 hours), CPD (Continuous Professional Development), and subject-specific training.
• AI Companion Course Online course on artificial intelligence for daily work applications. Available through the DIKSHA platform app for teachers and education department employees.
• Holistic Progress Card (HPC) Comprehensive progress card for foundational stage students tracking holistic development across multiple domains. Includes student booklet and teacher guide.
• Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) Materials Comprehensive teacher guidelines and assessment tools for Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) covering Classes 1-8. Includes five parts of teacher manuals for implementing formative and summative assessment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free educational materials distributed to ~60,000 schools statewide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training)coreTechnology or IntegrationNCERT is the national apex body for school education. SCERT Maharashtra coordinates with NCERT for curriculum development, implements national programs like NIPUN Bharat, and follows NCERT frameworks for state-level implementation.
• DIKSHA PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational digital infrastructure platform for school education. SCERT Maharashtra develops and hosts e-content including videos, e-books, and QR-coded materials on DIKSHA for distribution to schools and students across the state.
• Balbharati and EbalbharaticoreOthersBalbharati (Maharashtra State Textbook Production and Curriculum Research Board) develops textbooks; SCERT develops curriculum framework. Both work under School Education Department.
• Maharashtra Primary Education Council, MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates on Samagra Shiksha and STARS project implementation, fund distribution, and monitoring for primary education improvement programs.
• NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education)coreOthersNational regulatory body for teacher education. SCERT handles D.El.Ed. curriculum and admission process, and correspondence with NCTE for new teacher training institutions.
• SWAYAM/SWAYAMPRABHAmajorTechnology or IntegrationNational initiative for online education. SCERT distributes content through SWAYAM PRABHA DTH channels (5 PM e-Vidya channels) for reaching students through television.
• DIET (District Institute of Education and Training)coreOthers36 DIETs across Maharashtra serve as field-level training and coordination units under SCERT guidance for district-level implementation of education programs.
• CNCL (National Literacy Centre, NCERT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Literacy Centre coordinates ULLAS (Navi Bharat Literacy Program) for adult literacy. SCERT Maharashtra's State Literacy Centre implements ULLAS programs including development of primers, training modules, and assessment materials in Marathi and other regional languages.
• RIE (Regional Institute of Education), BhopalminorOthersSCERT coordinates with RIE Bhopal for research programs and academic activities under NCERT regional network.
• State Literacy Authority (SLMA), MaharashtramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Literacy Mission Authority coordinates adult literacy programs. SCERT's State Literacy Centre provides academic support, develops curricula and materials for ULLAS literacy program implementation.
• Shanti Lal Mutha FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for value addition program (Mulyavardhan) for students from Class 1 to 5, implemented during 2016-17 to 2019-20.
• AGASTYA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience education organization providing hands-on science learning programs. SCERT conducted science activity-based training (Agastya) for teachers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Pratham Education Foundation: India's largest education NGO working on foundational literacy and numeracy, school quality improvement, and teacher capacity building across rural India. Operates programs that closely parallel SCERT's FLN and teacher training mandates at scale.
• Azim Premji Foundation: Large philanthropic foundation operating extensive school education programs including teacher training, curriculum support, and direct school interventions across multiple Indian states. Functions as an emerging parallel to government SCERTs in driving school quality improvement.
• Eklavya Foundation: Non-profit focused on curriculum development, textbook creation, and teacher training for K-12 education with emphasis on activity-based and child-centric learning. Comparable to SCERT in producing original educational content and teacher training materials, though at smaller scale.

Direct peers

• CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education): National-level body that sets curriculum standards, conducts examinations, and provides affiliation for schools across India. While SCERT governs state-board schools and CBSE governs central-board schools, both perform comparable functions of curriculum design, assessment, and academic oversight for K-12 students.
• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS): National autonomous body offering open schooling with curriculum, assessment, and certification functions for K-12. Comparable to SCERT in its educational content development and assessment mandate, though NIOS operates at national level and via distance/open learning.
• NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training): National apex body for school education curriculum, textbook development, and teacher training in India. SCERT Maharashtra is explicitly positioned as the state-level arm implementing NCERT's NEP 2020 frameworks, NIPUN Bharat, and assessment architectures (NAS, SLAS).
• Balbharati (Maharashtra State Textbook Production and Curriculum Research Board): Maharashtra's statutory textbook production body that physically publishes the textbooks whose curriculum SCERT designs. The two organizations are core partners within the School Education Department, performing complementary K-12 curriculum and content functions.

Regional players

• SCERT Kerala: Kerala's state council for educational research and training, the regional counterpart to SCERT Maharashtra performing identical statutory functions of curriculum development, teacher training, and educational research for K-12 government schools.
• SCERT Tamil Nadu (TNSET): Tamil Nadu's state council for educational research and training, performing the same apex academic functions of curriculum design, textbook oversight, and teacher capacity building under NCERT's national framework. Comparable in mandate and structure to SCERT Maharashtra.
• SCERT Karnataka (DSERT): Karnataka's equivalent state-level apex academic body for school education, with identical mandate of curriculum development, teacher training, and educational research. Functions as a regional peer operating in the same policy architecture but serving a different state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SCERTMaharashtra
• Xx.com/scertmaha
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maharashtra-academic-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about State Council of Educational Research and Training, Maharashtra