Overview

The University Grants Commission had accorded recognition to Universities/ Institutions for offering programmes through distance mode from academic session 2013 onwards. After the transfer of regulatory work from the erstwhile DEC to UGC, the continuation of recognition was given to Institutes/Universities for one year i.e. 2014-15, which were already having recognition under institutional recognition/programme wise recognition.

Subsequently, in the absence of ODL Regulations, Commission decided to continue the recognition during 2015-16 in respect of those institutions which were recognized during 2014-15 to offer ODL programmes.

For the purpose of considering the recognition of eligible universities/institutions, the UGC for the first time, carried out an extensive exercise. The recognition was accorded to the eligible universities/institutions based on the recommendations of the Expert Committees. In the case of universities, the recognition was accorded for two academic years i.e. for 2016-17 and 2017-18. However, vide UGC (ODL) First and Second Amendments after academic session 2017-18, the Commission shall not accord any approval to the Open and Distance Learning programmes of Standalone Institutions.