New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released important guidelines for students who want to enroll in open and distance learning (ODL) and online learning programs. The UGC has stated some precautionary guidelines that students should keep in mind while enrolling in these programs. The Commission has also notified a list of programs that are prohibited to be offered under ODL and online mode. These programs include Engineering, Medical, Physiotherapy, and various others.

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The checklist further includes the status of higher educational institutions (HEIs), and adherence to the duration of an academic session, among others. The UGC's precautionary guidelines applied to both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs. Precautions a student should take before enrolling under ODL and online learning programs are provided here.

UGC Admission Guidelines For ODL, Online Learning Programmes

1. Students should ensure the status of higher educational institutions (HEIs) which includes recognition status, and entitlement status. Students must check which HEIs are debarred for offering ODL or online programs and have been put under the ‘no admission category.
2. Students should thoroughly check the details of the HEIs, their documents, application, and affidavit on the Commission's website. If a student finds any deviation in details available on the official website of HEIs website, she/he should communicate it to UGC.
3. The HEIs should adhere to the duration of an academic session as notified by the UGC. The academic session beginning in July-August 2022 has been revised to September 2022. The last date to apply for the academic session 2022-23 is till October 31, 2022.
4. A student should ensure that the minimum duration, nomenclature, and entry-level qualification for ODL and online courses under which enrolment is being made should be strict as per UGC notification. The minimum qualification for enrolling into the UG program is a Class 12 pass and for the PG program is a bachelor's degree.
5. The UGC has also notified the list of programs that are available in the official notification and are prohibited to be offered under ODL and online mode. There are around 17 ODL programs that are prohibited by the UGC including MPhil and Ph.D. programs.
6. Students should remember that HEIs are conducting all their activities including admission, counseling, and examinations within territorial jurisdiction for ODL programs.
7. UGC has strictly prohibited universities whether central, state, private, or deemed universities to offer its programs through franchising arrangements for admitting learners and conducting courses through ODL and online mode.
8. The UG and PG degrees provided under ODL and online modes will be treated as equivalent to the corresponding awards of the degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
9. The HEIs should have Important learner center provisions of the regulations which include learner’s mobility, admission taken through the recognition period, and learner’s enrolment for ODL and online mode programs.

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