| For Dual Mode HEIs |
NAAC score 3.01 and above; or, Rank in Top-100 in University category of NIRF, at least once in two preceding cycles |
| For Open Universities | Any NAAC score |
| For Dual Mode HEIs |
HEI shall be in existence for at least three years NAAC score 3.01 and above; or, Rank in Top-100 in University category of NIRF, at least once in two preceding cycles |
| For Open Universities |
HEI shall be in existence for at least three years Any NAAC score |
| NAAC | Score 3.26 and above; or, |
| NIRF | Top-100 rank at least twice in three preceding cycles |
| Programmes | Max 13 (3 UG + 10 PG) |
| UGC letter granting Category-I HEIs status as per UGC Regulations, 2018 and amendments. |
University shall be in Category-I if:
|
Note: One-time registration fee - Rs. 25,000/- + GST as applicable. Payment must be completed through the integrated payment gateway. No other mode of payment is accepted. Registration fee is not refundable
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of filling Online Application form on UGC-DEB portal | 27th April, 2026 |
| Last date to submit Online Application form on UGC-DEB portal | 11th May, 2026 |
| Last date to submit hard copy of original affidavit & annexures | 20th May, 2026 |
| For Dual Mode HEIs | NAAC score 3.01 and above; or |
| For Dual Mode HEIs | Rank in Top-100 in University category of National Institutional Ranking Framework, at least once in two preceding cycles |
| For Open Universities | Any NAAC score |
| For Dual Mode HEIs | HEI shall be inexistence for at least three years |
| For Dual Mode HEIs | NAAC score 3.01 and above; or |
| For Dual Mode HEIs | Rank in Top-100 in University category of National Institutional Ranking Framework, at least once in two preceding cycles |
| For Open Universities | HEI shall be in existence for at least three years |
| For Open Universities | Any NAAC score |
Science based ODL programmes, which require hands-on experience, experimental setup, shall be offered only by the Higher Educational Institutions having NAAC score of 3.26 and above or by the Open universities or by the Higher Educational Institutions having rank in top-100 in ‘University category’ of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), at least twice in three preceding cycles.
Further, Science based programmes shall be offered from the Head Quarters and/or only from such Learner Support Centres (within the territorial jurisdiction of the HEI) which are offering same programme under conventional mode for at-least seven years.
(a) For ODL and Online: • At least 60 percent of SLM/E-LM - developed by in-house faculty of the HEI. • Remaining can be sourced from available resources such as other HEIs, Open Educational Resources (OER) and SWAYAM.
Readiness:-(b) For ODL: Self Learning Material shall be ready in all respect as under:- • For Under Graduate Programmes (3 years duration)- First Two Years • For Post Graduate Programmes (2 Years Duration) - First Year • For Post Graduate Diploma Programmes (2 Years Duration) - First Year
(c) For Online: E-Learning Material in four quadrants for each course shall be ready as under:- • For Under Graduate Level Programmes First Three Semesters • For Post Graduate Level Programmes First Year • For Post Graduate Diploma Programmes First Year
HEIs are requested to submit registration and application fee for recognition of Open and Distance Learning Programme (ODL) /Online programmes as under:
• One-time registration fee - Rs. 25,000/- + GST as applicable
• Starting of ODL Programmes - Rs 10,000/ per programme, subject to minimum of Rs 50,000/- + GST as applicable
• Starting of Online Programmes - Rs 15,000/ per programme, subject to minimum of Rs 75,000/- + GST as applicable
UGC public notice in this regard is available at Click Here.
Application for recognition of Eligible HEIs under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode and/or Online mode, as per UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments.
Academic year 2026-27, academic session August
The HEI intending to apply shall register online through the UGC-DEB portal. After successful registration, a unique ID and password will be sent on the registered email ID (preferably official email id of the HEI). 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. Persons other than Registrar of the HEI are not allowed to register themselves on behalf of any HEI. UGC may initiate legal action against such persons.
1. All Category-I HEIs may be asked to submit the following (exactly the same as is being asked for HEIs entitled for Online programmes) for academic session January-February, 2023 onwards:
• Affidavit in the prescribed format.
• Application fee, as applicable.
• Confirmation/documentary evidence in respect of entitlement, nomenclature of proposed programmes as per notified UGC specification of degrees, proposed programme not in the prohibited list, one batch passed out and recommendation of the regulatory authority, as applicable.
• After confirming compliance as per the above points, the HEI name along with the programme names to be uploaded on website and HEIs may be intimated accordingly.
• Entitlement of number of programmes shall be as per the UGC (Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy] Regulations, 2018, as amended from time to time.
Category-I HEIs entitled to offer programme under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Mode Without Prior Approval of the UGC as per UGC (Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018 and its Amendments
Note: HEIs may please note that the mere submission of an application should not be considered as grant of approval. All application(s) shall be subject to scrutiny with respect to the standards stipulated in the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments.
Application fee once paid is strictly NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances.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 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.
HEIs entitled to offer programme under ONLINE MODE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL of the UGC:
| 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 |
For General Query Click here..
For Technical Query odl.ugc@mail.inflibnet.ac.in
Note: HEIs may please note that the mere submission of an application should not be considered as grant of approval. All applications shall be subject to scrutiny with respect to the standards stipulated in the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments.