New Delhi, October 7, 2025: In a major step towards expanding access to higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted official recognition to 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions to offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes from the 2025–26 academic session (July–August intake). Additionally, 113 universities have received approval for online courses, while 13 specialized institutions can now run dedicated online programmes.
With the October 15, 2025 deadline fast approaching, the Commission has urged students to complete their admissions for all approved ODL and online courses before the cut-off date.
AICTE Approval No Longer Required for ODL and Online Courses
In a significant regulatory shift, the UGC’s 578th Commission Meeting decided that Central, State, and Private Universities offering programmes in Management, Computer Applications, and Travel & Tourism through ODL or online mode no longer need prior AICTE approval or NOC.
However, this exemption does not apply to Deemed-to-be Universities, which must still obtain AICTE clearance before launching such courses.
Top Institutions Included in the Approved List
The latest recognition list features several of India’s most prominent universities across regions:
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North India: University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, Panjab University Chandigarh, Lovely Professional University Punjab, Amity University Uttar Pradesh
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South India: Anna University Chennai, Annamalai University, University of Mumbai, Pondicherry University, ICFAI Foundation Telangana
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State Open Universities: Karnataka, Maharashtra (Yashwantrao Chavan), Jharkhand, Kerala (Sreenarayanaguru), Rajasthan (Vardhman Mahaveer), Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand
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Specialized Institutions: International Institute for Population Sciences (Maharashtra), Academy of Maritime Education and Training (Tamil Nadu)
Compliance and Quality Framework
All recognized institutions must strictly follow UGC ODL and Online Programme Regulations, including:
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Transparent admission and eligibility criteria
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Course duration as per UGC (Specification of Degrees) 2014 and ODL Regulations 2020
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Mandatory Learner Support Centres (LSCs) within approved territorial limits
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Real-time admission data submission through the UGC-DEB portal
Non-compliance may invite regulatory action, impacting both institutions and students.
India’s Digital Education Push
The move is being hailed as a milestone in India’s digital education revolution, offering flexible and affordable learning opportunities for working professionals, rural students, and remote learners.
By removing unnecessary barriers and encouraging digital inclusion, the UGC aims to position India as a global hub for quality online education.
Next Steps for Students
Prospective learners are advised to check their chosen university’s approval status on the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) website and complete their applications before the October 15 deadline to confirm enrollment for the 2025–26 session.