Updated 13 October 2026 | Based on NCERT’s official NCSL 2026 brochure.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced the National Conference on School Libraries (NCSL 2026) for 19–20 November 2026 in New Delhi. The two-day event will focus on how school libraries can support reading, foundational literacy, digital inclusion, civic engagement and lifelong learning under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The announcement is especially relevant for school librarians, library in-charges, principals, teachers, teacher educators and researchers who want to share practical library initiatives or learn from other schools. NCERT’s brochure includes a call for research papers and live demonstrations of library innovations. This guide summarises what the official brochure says—and what participants should confirm before making travel or payment arrangements.

NCSL 2026: key details at a glance

• Event: National Conference on School Libraries (NCSL 2026)
• Dates: 19–20 November 2026
• Venue: NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi
• Organiser: NCERT’s Library and Documentation Division
• Theme: Policy perspectives and case studies on advancing literacy, digital inclusion, civic engagement and nation-building under NEP 2020
• Official brochure: Download the NCERT NCSL 2026 brochure (PDF)
• Conference information page: NCERT Library and Documentation Division – NCSL

Why is NCERT focusing on school libraries?

NCERT’s background paper describes a modern school library as more than a room where books are stored. A well-run library can help students build reading habits, ask questions, investigate topics, evaluate information and work independently. It can also connect classroom learning with stories, reference materials, digital resources and community knowledge.

This matters across subjects and age groups. Younger students need regular opportunities to read and discuss texts. Middle-school learners benefit from guided research and vocabulary-building. Secondary students need practice locating trustworthy sources, comparing evidence and citing information in projects. A library can support all of these activities when it is planned as part of teaching and learning rather than treated only as a book-issue counter.

The conference aligns its focus with NEP 2020, which places importance on literacy, equitable access, multilingual learning and meaningful use of technology. NCERT says NCSL 2026 will bring together educators, school librarians, researchers, administrators, policymakers and technology experts to exchange evidence-based practices.

What themes and ideas are in focus?

The brochure highlights several connected areas. Participants can use these as starting points when planning a paper, presentation or school-level improvement project.

• Foundational literacy and reading culture: reading clubs, read-aloud sessions, storytelling, book talks, multilingual collections and ways to understand whether reading programmes are helping learners.
• Digital inclusion and access to knowledge: digital libraries, e-books, accessible formats, online catalogues, remote access and support for students with limited devices or connectivity.
• Community engagement: family reading activities, partnerships with local institutions, community outreach and ways to make the library relevant to local culture and knowledge.
• Student-led library initiatives: student volunteers, peer reading support, student-created resources and leadership roles that help learners take ownership of the library.
• Collaboration between librarians and teachers: curriculum-linked reading, inquiry projects, subject-based resource lists and joint planning for classroom assignments.
• Practical innovation: low-cost library redesigns, makerspaces, digital storytelling, mobile library models, inclusive spaces and initiatives that can be adapted by other schools.

NCERT also invites live, stage-based demonstrations through its School Library Innovation Showcase and Best Practices Forum. The emphasis is on practical, replicable ideas and evidence of impact—not just a description of activities.

Who can participate?

The brochure specifically welcomes school librarians and library in-charges from across India. Its call for papers also invites school-library professionals, research scholars, administrators, policymakers and academics to submit work related to the conference themes. Schools with a useful reading campaign, digital access model or student-led library programme may consider documenting their experience.

Teachers and principals who are not submitting a paper may still find the event relevant for professional learning and networking. However, the brochure states that participants, including co-authors and general attendees, are required to pay a registration fee. The fee details are to be made available through the conference website; do not assume attendance is free.

Research paper guidelines: what authors need to prepare

NCERT’s brochure sets out the following requirements for full-text submissions:

• Length: 2,500–4,000 words.
• Abstract: up to 250 words, with 3–5 keywords.
• Language: English or Hindi.
• Formatting: Times New Roman; 12-point body text; 14-point bold headings; 16-point bold title; single line spacing.
• References: APA Style Manual, 7th edition.
• Integrity: submissions must be plagiarism-free and include a plagiarism report.
• Author information: title, full name, institutional affiliation and email address for all authors.
• Submission email listed in the brochure: ncsl.ncert@gmail.com.

NCERT says submitted papers will be reviewed by a panel of subject experts and accepted papers will be published in conference proceedings with an ISBN. Authors should retain a copy of the submitted paper and any correspondence.

Important deadline note: the brochure reviewed for this article does not specify a final paper-submission deadline. Before emailing a paper, check the official NCSL page or contact the conference organisers to confirm whether submissions are still being accepted and whether any updated instructions have been issued.

Travel support, registration and accommodation

The brochure says NCERT expects to provide travel allowance support to approximately 100 paper presenters or participants, subject to NCERT norms and the committee’s decision. Travel assistance is limited to the first author of an accepted paper, with preference given to eligible school-library professionals from outside Delhi and the National Capital Region. Reimbursement is described as limited to third-AC train fare or bus fare, with valid tickets booked through authorised sources required.

This is not a guarantee that every author will receive travel support. Eligibility, selection and reimbursement remain subject to the conditions in the brochure and NCERT’s decision. The brochure also says accommodation for one author per accepted paper may be arranged in NCERT guest houses or hostels, subject to prior request and availability. Other non-local participants may need to arrange accommodation at their own expense.

Before booking tickets, confirm your participation, the registration fee, accommodation availability and any travel-support approval directly through NCERT’s official conference information channel. Keep receipts and written confirmations.

How a school can prepare a strong library case study

A school does not need an expensive library to demonstrate meaningful impact. A useful case study begins with a clear need and records what changed. For example, a school might describe how it increased voluntary reading, introduced multilingual story sessions, created subject-wise resource boxes, improved access for learners with disabilities or involved students in running a reading club.

1. Identify the need: describe the challenge, such as low reading participation or limited access to reference material.
2. Explain the intervention: state what the school introduced, who was involved, how often it ran and what resources were needed.
3. Collect evidence: use participation records, book-loan data, student feedback, reading logs or examples of student work where appropriate.
4. Discuss limitations: explain what did not work, what changed during implementation and what support was required.
5. Make it replicable: share a realistic process, approximate costs, staff roles and adaptations that other schools could use.

Use anonymised student examples unless the school has the necessary permission to identify learners. Do not include confidential student information in a paper or presentation. A clear, honest account of results and limitations is more useful to other educators than unsupported claims of success.

What should interested schools do now?

• Download and read the official brochure in full.
• Ask the principal or school management to nominate the appropriate librarian or staff member.
• Choose a conference theme and identify a practical school example or research question.
• Prepare the paper, abstract, keywords, references and plagiarism report according to the stated format.
• Confirm the submission deadline, registration fee and participation procedure on NCERT’s official conference page.
• Wait for confirmation before making non-refundable travel or accommodation bookings.

Frequently asked questions

When and where will NCSL 2026 take place?

NCERT’s brochure lists 19–20 November 2026 at NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.

Can teachers submit a paper if they are not school librarians?

The brochure invites professionals, research scholars, administrators, policymakers and academics to submit papers, alongside school librarians and library in-charges. The proposed work should relate to the conference themes.

Is registration free?

No. The brochure says participants, including co-authors and general attendees, must pay a registration fee. It says fee details will be provided through the conference website.

What is the final date for submitting a paper?

The brochure available for this article does not state a final submission deadline. Confirm the latest instructions with NCERT before submitting.

Official links and related TeachGyan resources

• NCERT NCSL 2026 official brochure (PDF)
• NCERT Library and Documentation Division – conference information
• NCERT official website
• TeachGyan: NCERT New Textbooks 2026–27 – How Students Should Prepare
• TeachGyan Class 9 learning resources

Editorial note: This article reflects the NCERT brochure available on 13 October 2026. Dates and guidelines are based on the official document; the submission deadline and registration fee should be confirmed through NCERT because they are not specified in the brochure.