UGC approves 101 universities for online & distance learning in 2025: Check list here

The Commission has announced October 15 as the final date for student admissions into recognised ODL and online programmes.

UGC approves 101 universities for online & distance learning; check list

Additionally, 13 institutions have received clearance to launch specialised online learning (OL) programmes. (Image: AI Generated\ Representative)

By: Education Desk

5 min readNew DelhiOct 12, 2025 09:40 AM IST First published on: Oct 7, 2025 at 06:16 PM IST

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programmes for the academic year 2025-26, to be commenced in July-August.

In a push towards digital education, the commission has also authorised 113 universities to conduct online courses. Additionally, 13 institutions have received clearance to launch specialised online learning (OL) programmes. The Commission has announced October 15 as the final date for student admissions into recognised ODL and online programmes.

UGC calls for eligible HEIs for ODL programmes

The development follows the UGC’s call for applications from eligible Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) under the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, along with its subsequent amendments. Institutions that successfully meet the regulatory and quality benchmarks have been approved to offer ODL and online programmes.

Know which universities are approved

University Names

Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur

Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidyalayam, Tirupati

Yogi Vemana University

Andhra Pradesh National Sanskrit University

AP Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati

Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi University

Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University

Gauhati University

Tezpur University

Nalanda Open University

Panjab University, Chandigarh

Pt. Sundarlal Sharma University, Chhattisgarh

Dr. C. V. Raman University, Chhattisgarh

Mats University, Chhattisgarh

University Of Delhi

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad

Gokul Global University, Gujarat

Guru Jambeshwar University Of Science & Technology, Haryana

Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana

Central University Of Haryana

Himachal Pradesh University

Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences, Himachal Pradesh

University Of Kashmir

University Of Jammu

Jharkhand State Open University

Arka Jain University, Jharkhand

Jain University, Karnataka

Karnataka State Open University

Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Karnataka

Calicut University, Kerala

Kerala University

Sreenarayanaguru Open University, Kerala

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh

Jiwaji University, Madhya Pradesh

M. P. Bhoj University

Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh

Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Maharashtra

Smt Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University, Maharashtra

Shivaji University, Maharashtra

Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University

University Of Mumbai

Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Maharashtra

International Institute For Population Sciences, Maharashtra

MIT Art Design & Technology University, Maharashtra

University Of Science & Technology, Meghalaya

Sambalpur University, Odisha

Utkal University, Odisha

Odisha State Open University

Sri Sri University, Odisha

Fakir Mohan University, Odisha

Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Odisha

Pondicherry University

Chandigarh University, Punjab

Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State University

Lovely Professional University, Punjab

Punjabi University, Punjab

Desh Bhagat University, Punjab

Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Rajasthan

Jagannath University, Rajasthan

Jaipur National University, Rajasthan

Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Rajasthan

Vivekananda Global University, Rajasthan

Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu

Anna University, Chennai

Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli

B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute Of Science And Technology, Chennai

Kalasalingam Academy Of Research And Higher Education, Srivilliputhur

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli

Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai

University Of Madras

Sathyabama Institute Of Science And Technology, Chennai

Mother Teresa Women’s University

VELS Institute Of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies

Academy Of Maritime Education And Training, Tamil Nadu

Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu

Periyar University, Tamil Nadu

Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad

ICFAI Foundation For Higher Education, Telangana

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Telangana

Kakatiya University, Telangana

Mata Tripura Sundari Open University, Tripura

Amity University, Uttar Pradesh

Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Uttar Pradesh

U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University

Mangalayatan University, Uttar Pradesh

Integral University, Uttar Pradesh

Shobhit Institute Of Engineering & Technology, Uttar Pradesh

Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Uttar Pradesh

IIMT University, Uttar Pradesh

Uttarakhand Open University

University Of Patanjali, Uttarakhand

Netaji Subhas Open University, West Bengal

Rabindra Bharati University, West Bengal

University Of Kalyani, West Bengal

University Of North Bengal, West Bengal

University Of Burdwan, West Bengal

UGC relaxes AICTE approval norm

Through its 578th Commission decision, it has exempted central, state, and private universities from obtaining prior approval or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and postgraduate diploma programmes in Management, Computer Applications, and Travel and Tourism via ODL or online mode.

However, the exemption does not extend to Deemed-to-be Universities, which are still required to seek prior approval, recommendation, or NOC from AICTE before launching such programmes under ODL or online formats.

Programmes governed by other regulatory bodies have been granted recognition by the UGC only upon receiving approvals or recommendations from the respective authorities. Institutions offering such courses are mandated to adhere strictly to all stipulated conditions, including seat capacity, designated academic year, and other regulatory norms.

Rules for HEIs by UGC

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) recognised by the Commission are required to comply with a defined set of academic and operational standards while offering ODL and online programmes.

These standards include entry-level qualifications for learners, mode of admission, prescribed minimum and maximum duration of programmes, and the number of academic credits, as per the UGC Notification on Specification of Degrees (2014) and the ODL Regulations (2020).

In addition, institutions must strictly adhere to territorial jurisdiction norms and establish Learner Support Centres (LSCs) in accordance with Annexures 3 and 7 of the 2020 regulations. These provisions aim to ensure equitable access to academic support and guidance for learners across the country.

To ensure transparency and regulatory compliance, institutions are mandated to submit admission data through the DEB Web Portal using reverse API integration.