Distance Education Bureau

Registration for Higher Educational Institutions eligible to offer programmes without prior approval of UGC


Regulation 3(B)(a) of UGC [Op6a and Distance Learning Programmes and Online programme) Regulations, 2O2O

Higher Educational Institutions having NAAC score 3.26 and above or having rank in Top-100 in University category of National Institutional Ranking Framework, at least twice in three preceding cycles (at the time of application), shall be permitted to start full-fledged Online programmes without prior approval of the UGC, provided it satisfies all the conditions mentioned in these regulations:

Provided that the Higher Educational Institutions can start maximum of three (03) Under Graduate (UG) programmes and ten (10) Post Graduate (PG) programmes with the approval of its statutory authorities and in strict compliance with the provisions of these regulations:

Provided further that the NAAC and NIRF Ranking requirements shall be valid for academic session 2020-2021 (session beginning July, 2020 and January, 2021) only and shall be reviewed subsequently by the Commission for the academic session 2021-2022 (session beginning July 2021) and onwards:

Provided also that Higher Educational Institutions shall be required to submit application and desired information, and comply to all the provisions of the regulations and shall be required to submit an affidavit to the UGC:

Provided also, that in case, the Higher Educational Institutions want to start more than the defined number of programmes, then they shall seek prior permission from the Commission.

Instructions

HEIs entitled to offer programme under ONLINE MODE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL of the UGC:

  • 1. University Grants Commission has notified the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 in the official Gazette on 4th September, 2020. Subsequently, UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations, 2021 have been notified in the Gazette on 1st July, 2021. These regulations are available on UGC website at https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/221580.pdf and https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/6852408_UGC(ODL-Programmes-and-Online-Programmes)(Amendment)Regulations,-2021.pdf respectively. Kindly read the same before applying for Online programmes.
  • 2. Eligibility conditions for HEIs entitled to offer programme under ONLINE MODE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL of the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 as per Regulation 3(B)(a):
    NAAC NAAC score 3.26 and above; or
    NIRF Rank in Top-100 in University category of National Institutional Ranking Framework, at least twice in three preceding cycles
  • 3. HEI can apply for maximum Thirteen (13) programmes i.e. maximum three (03) programmes at Under Graduate (UG) level and ten (10) programmes at Post Graduate level.
  • 4. HEIs already entitled to offer Online programmes may apply only for additional programmes, if any, under the programme limit mentioned at point 3.
  • 5. Programmes in the following domains are prohibited to be offered under ODL and Online mode:
    (i)       Engineering
    (ii)      Medical
    (iii)     Physiotherapy
    (iv)      Occupational Therapy and other Para-Medical disciplines
    (v)       Law
    (vi)      Dental
    (vii)     Pharmacy
    (viii)    Nursing
    (ix)      Architecture
    (x)       Physiotherapy
    (xi)      Agriculture
    (xii)     Horticulture
    (xiii)    Hotel management
    (xiv)     Culinary studies
    (xv)      Catering Technology
    (xvi)     Aircraft Maintenance
    (xvii)    Visual Arts
    (xviii)   Sports
    (xix)     any other programme not permitted to be offered in distance mode by any Statutory Councils or Regulatory bodies.

    Apart from the above, M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes in all disciplines through ODL and Online mode are also prohibited.
  • 6. Details of fee for submission of application for recognition/ Entitlement of ODL and /or Online programmes and assessment of CIQA report are as follows: a. One-time registration fee Rs. 25,000/- + GST as applicable b. Online Learning Programmes (OL) Starting of Programmes - Rs 15,000/- per programme, subject to minimum of Rs 75,000/- + GST as applicable Public Notice:https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/2809763_public-notice-ODL-09-07-2021.pdf
  • 7. HEI is required to pay the fees through the payment gateway integrated with the application.
  • 8. The HEI intending to apply shall register online through the portal. After successful registration, a unique ID and password will be sent on the registered email ID. The UGC may verify the genuineness of the applicant through email/mobile before sending ID and password. It may be noted that only Registrar is allowed to register on the behalf of the HEI. The HEI intending to apply shall register online through the portal. After successful registration, the ID and password will be sent at the registered official email ID. The UGC may verify the genuineness of the applicant through email/mobile before sending ID and password. . It may be noted that only Registrar/ authorised official of HEI is allowed to register on the behalf of the HEI.
  • 9. Persons other than registrar/authorised official of HEI are not allowed to register themselves on behalf of any HEI. UGC may initiate legal action against such persons.
  • 10. The applicant HEI will be able to access the online application form after login through the portal using given ID and Password only. The applicant HEIs are requested to go through the information required to be submitted while applying along with the format of Affidavit to be submitted.
  • 11. After submission of online application, the HEI shall submit a copy of application along with the duly notarised affidavit to ‘Joint Secretary (DEB), University Grants Commission, Distance Education Bureau, 35, Froze Shah Road, Delhi -110001, within 10 working days after submission of the online application form.
  • 12. A copy of online application downloaded from the portal shall be uploaded by the HEI on its official website immediately after online submission, which shall include all annexures. A confirmation email in this regard shall be sent at odl.ugc@mail.inflibnet.ac.in
  • 13. Applications which are not submitted through online mode on the designated portal within the specified period will not be entertained in any manner. Also, application with incomplete /ambiguous information will not be entertained by the UGC.
  • 14. The HEIs are also requested to read Public Notices which are uploaded on UGC website and can be accessed at the following link:https://www.ugc.ac.in/deb/notices.html or https://deb.ugc.ac.in/Notices
  • 15. Kindly contact:

    For General Query Click here..

    For Technical Query odl.ugc@mail.inflibnet.ac.in

I have read above mentioned instructions carefully.
I also accept terms and conditions mentioned /provisions detailed in University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.
    Please accept declaration to proceed further.
Accept