UGC Issues Detailed Precautionary Guidelines for Enrolling in ODL and Online Learning Programmes

Students are urged to verify the recognition status of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering ODL and Online programmes. The year-wise and academic session-wise recognition status of HEIs is

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a comprehensive public notice, emphasizing the precautions that students should take before enrolling in Open & Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) programmes. This move aims to ensure students are well-informed and make secure academic decisions. The guidelines detail recognition status checks, mandatory enrolment requirements, and a list of barred institutions.

Key Points from the UGC Notice

Students are urged to verify the recognition status of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering ODL and Online programmes. The year-wise and academic session-wise recognition status of HEIs is accessible on the UGC-DEB website at https://deb.ugc.ac.in. The notice also provides a link for checking the list of HEIs entitled to offer these programmes, along with the specific programmes they are approved to deliver. It is critical for students to ensure that they are not enrolling in unrecognized institutions, which could jeopardize their academic future.

Additionally, students should read important updates and notifications on the UGC website before taking admission. This includes staying aware of any HEIs that have been prohibited from admitting students in certain programmes or have been placed in the ‘no admission’ category. The last date for admissions to ODL and Online programmes for the academic session starting in October 2024 (revised from July-August 2024) is November 15, 2024.

DEB-ID for Standardized Enrolment

In a significant move to protect students’ academic interests, UGC has made it mandatory for students enrolling in ODL and Online programmes to generate a DEB-ID. This initiative, approved during the UGC’s 581st meeting on June 25, 2024, is designed to standardize the enrolment process. Students will need to register on the UGC-DEB web portal using their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) ID, which will then generate a unique DEB-ID. This ID will be a lifelong identifier for ODL and Online learning, ensuring traceability and credibility of enrolments.

The DEB-ID is mandatory starting from the academic session of October 2024, revised from the earlier session of July-August 2024. Students must adhere to this requirement when enrolling in recognized HEIs to avoid complications in academic documentation and degree validation.

HEIs Under ‘No Admission’ Category

The UGC has banned several universities from offering specific ODL and Online programmes due to non-compliance with regulations.

Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Rajasthan: This institution has been prohibited from offering Online programmes for five academic sessions, starting from July-August 2024. Additionally, no applications for Online programmes will be entertained for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, even under the "Entitled Category."

Periyar University, Tamil Nadu: The university is barred from offering Online programmes for two academic years, covering 2024-25 and 2025-26.

NALSAR University, Telangana: The university is restricted from offering ODL programmes for the 2024-25 academic year, starting from October 2024.

Students are advised to consult the UGC-DEB website for more details on these prohibitions and ensure that they do not enroll in programmes from these institutions to safeguard their academic pursuits.

Checking HEI Details on Official Websites

Recognized and entitled HEIs must make available important information on their websites. This includes applications submitted to UGC, affidavits, statutory body approvals, and details of regulatory authority permissions. Students should thoroughly check these details to confirm the legitimacy of their chosen institution and programme. This transparency ensures that all necessary regulatory and statutory requirements are met.

Prohibited Programmes

The UGC has explicitly prohibited several programmes from being offered under ODL and Online modes. These include:

Engineering and Medical disciplines

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and other Para-Medical disciplines

Pharmacy, Nursing, and Architecture

Agriculture, Horticulture, Hotel Management, and Catering Technology

Culinary Sciences, Aircraft Maintenance, Visual Arts and Sports, and Aviation

Programmes like Yoga and Tourism & Hospitality Management are not permitted at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in Online mode. Additionally, M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes across all disciplines are banned from being offered through ODL and Online modes.

Territorial Jurisdiction for ODL Programmes

The UGC has reinforced that HEIs must conduct all activities, including admissions, counseling, programme delivery, and examinations, strictly within their territorial jurisdiction. Specific guidelines have been provided for Central Universities, State Universities, Private Universities, and Deemed-to-be Universities to ensure compliance. Students must verify that these jurisdictional requirements are met to avoid enrollment in unauthorized programmes.

Ban on Franchising Arrangements

The UGC strictly prohibits HEIs from offering programmes through franchising arrangements. This means that no Central, State, Private, or Deemed-to-be University can outsource their admissions or learning management processes. All operations must be carried out by the HEI directly from their headquarters. Learner Support Centers (LSCs) must be managed by the HEI itself, without involvement from private service providers or franchisees.

Equivalence of ODL and Conventional Degrees

Degrees and postgraduate diplomas awarded through recognized ODL and Online modes are treated as equivalent to those awarded through conventional modes. This equivalence applies as long as the programmes comply with UGC regulations and guidelines. However, students should ensure that the minimum duration, entry-level qualifications, and nomenclature of their chosen programmes adhere to the UGC’s Specification of Degrees, 2014.

Important Learner Mobility Provisions

UGC regulations provide for learner mobility between different modes of learning (ODL and Online) within the same HEI, subject to statutory approvals. Admissions taken during a programme's recognition period remain valid until the programme’s completion, even if the HEI loses recognition in subsequent years, provided all regulatory norms are followed.

The UGC’s guidelines are crucial for safeguarding academic standards and ensuring that students receive quality education. Students are advised to visit the UGC and UGC-DEB websites regularly for updates and to make informed decisions about their academic careers.