UGC distance learning rules from next year

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has deferred implementation of regulations for open and distance learning (ODL) programmes to the 2018-19 academic session. This comes after it was noted that an immediate implementation of the regulations from the date of notification would technically render invalid all the ODL programmes offered by various higher educational institutions in case they do not seek fresh recognition from the UGC.

The UGC notified the ODL Regulations, 2017 in an official gazette on June 23. Many of the universities and other higher educational institutions, which had just got the UGC’s approval to their ODL programmes in May-June, found themselves in a catch-22 situation as the new regulations mandatorily required them to make a fresh application to get approval for their ODL courses.

Stalling of new admissions to the approved ODL programmes in the academic session of 2017-18 was another immediate consequence of its implementation. “The process of admission for 2017-18 by the universities/institutions is ongoing. Keeping in view the para 3, sub-para (1) of Part-II of the said regulations, it has been decided that the UGC (Open and Distance learning) Regulations, 2017, will be operationalised from 2018-19,” the higher education regulator said in a fresh notification on Monday.

“Every higher educational institution offering a programme in the ODL mode in pursuance of an approval granted to it for the purpose by the then Distance Education Council or by the commission or by any other regulatory authority or intending to offer a programme in ODL mode from the academic session immediately after the notification of these regulations shall, for grant of recognition, make an application to the commission,” para 3, sub-para (1) of Part-II of the UGC Regulations stipulate.

[Source”GSmerena”]