UGC Approval is a must for Universities to offer Open, Distance Learning Courses

December 1, 2022

UGC is one of the National Ranking councils in India. It is a separate body that approves various Universities and colleges based on the quality of education and facilities provided to candidates. The University Grants Commission is the main accreditation a University needs. Want to know why? Read out the article.

What is UGC (University Grants Commission)

The UGC has the unique distinction of being the only grant-giving organization in the country with two responsibilities: providing funding and coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards in higher education institutions.

The UGC’s mandate includes the following:

University education promotion and coordination
Creating and maintaining university standards for teaching, testing, and research.
Creating regulations governing basic educational criteria.
Monitoring changes in collegiate and university education; distributing money to universities and colleges.
Serving as a vital link between the Union and state governments, as well as educational institutions.
Advising the federal and state governments on the steps that must be taken to improve university education.

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Why does the University offering Distance Education need UGC’s Approval?

According to officials, under the new regulations, students will be able to take up to 20% of the total courses offered in a particular program in a semester via online learning courses/massive open online courses, in accordance with the UGC’s (Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses via SWAYAM) Regulations, 2016.

“Under this mode, students will be able to choose from a variety of online courses given by colleges and institutions across the country, and credit would be transferred to them,” a senior UGC official explained.

All higher education institutions that provide open and remote learning programs must now seek new commission clearance to continue operations.

The action will have an influence on several universities, including Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Kurukshetra University.

The regulations will apply to universities that offer distance learning mode for all undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, with the exception of engineering, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy, and programs that are not permitted to be offered in distance mode by any other regulatory body.

Are Distance and Open Education Universities Valid?

Universities may provide courses in the Open and Distance Learning mode with the Commission’s approval if they meet all of the standards outlined in the regulations, regardless of the name they use are known, pertaining to open and distance learning mode notified by the UGC from time to time,” the commission stated.

The commission’s 562nd meeting, conducted on October 28, approved revisions to the existing regulations, which were published in the Gazette of India on November 18.

After this amendment, the universities offering distance and open education without any prior approval are no more valid. The Universities that have the accreditation of UGC and other ranking councils are considered to be valid.