UGC approves 101 universities, 20 category-1 institutions for ODL, 126 for online courses in 2025-26

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued the list of higher educational institutions (HEIs) offering open and distance learning (ODL) and online programmes for the academic session 2025-26. 101 universities and 20 category-1 institutions will be offering ODL programmes, with classes starting from July-August session. 113 universities will be offering online courses while 13 will provide programmes in Online Learning (OL).

The last date to admit students in online or distance education programmes and to submit the admission data is October 15.

The commission informed that the institutions have submitted affidavits saying that in case any information, document, evidence submitted or produced by the HEI is found to be false or wrong at a later stage or in case there is any violation of UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, the institution will be solely liable and responsible for any consequences including career consequences of learner).

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In case of ODL courses, universities have been asked to adhere to the policy of Territorial Jurisdiction and Learner Support Centres (LSC). Moreover, the institutions have to comply with entry level qualification, mode of admission, duration of programme (minimum and maximum) and number of credits as per UGC regulations.

UGC rules for ODL, online courses

UGC regulations mandate that the entitled HEIs should not offer online programmes under any franchise arrangement and shall have complete ownership of these programmes.

For category-1 institutions, UGC said, “The HEIs are entitled to offer the ODL programmes for the period, till they are Category-1 HEIs as per the relevant UGC notifications /regulations. If an institution loses its Category-1 status, it must discontinue these programmes and notify the UGC accordingly. Learners already enrolled in the entitled programmes shall be allowed to complete the programmes.”

While central, state, or private universities don’t require prior approval, deemed universities need NOC from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for offering undergraduate, postgraduate and postgraduate diploma programmes falling under the disciplines of management, computer applications, and travel and tourism in online or ODL mode.