UGC Exempts Universities from AICTE Approval for Distance, Online Programs

However, Deemed to be Universities will still need prior approval/recommendation/NOC from AICTE for offering such programs in ODL and/or Online mode.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that universities, both state and private, will no longer require prior approval or recommendation from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for offering programs in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or Online mode.

As per a notice issued by the UGC, the decision, made during the 578th meeting held on March 13, 2024, comes in response to a letter from AICTE regarding the approval of state and private universities offering professional programs in Technical and Management education in ODL/OL mode.

Citing the Supreme Court judgment in Bharathidasan University and Another Vs. All India Council for Technical Education and Others (2001) 8 SCC 676, which states that it is not mandatory for universities to obtain AICTE approval to run technical programs, the Commission decided to waive the requirement for AICTE approval for universities offering programs in ODL and/or Online mode.

The Notice reads: “After detailed deliberations, the Commission decided that for Universities whether State or Central or Private, prior approval/recommendation/ NOC of AICTE shall not be required, as per UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 for offering programmes in ODL and/or Online mode.”

“In view of the above, it is informed that Central, State and Private Universities shall not require prior approval/recommendation/NOC from AICTE along with their application to UGC for offering of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Postgraduate diploma programmes under the disciplines of Management, Computer Application and Travel and Tourism in ODL and/or Online mode,” it further states.

This decision will significantly streamline the process for universities seeking to offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and postgraduate diploma programs in Management, Computer Application, and Travel and Tourism in ODL and/or Online mode. However, Deemed to be Universities will still need prior approval/recommendation/NOC from AICTE for offering such programs in ODL and/or Online mode.

The move is expected to facilitate greater flexibility and innovation in higher education delivery, particularly in the rapidly evolving landscape of online education.