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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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
