UGC New Guidelines Update: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has relaesed comprehensive guidelines for students seeking admission to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) programmes. It should be mentioned that these precautions are outlined under the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, and subsequent amendments made in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

UGC New Guidelines: Here is what official notification says 

"UGC has notified University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 on 4 September, 2020 in the Gazette of India. Subsequently, amendments to the Principal regulations have been notified on 1"July, 2021, 18 July, 2022 and 2nd May. 2024.
These regulations lay down the minimum standards of instruction for the grant of degrees at the undergraduate and post graduate levels and grant of post graduate diploma of duration of two years in Open and Distance Learning and/or Online mode," read the official notification.

It furter pointed out that students must confirm the recognition status of HEI for offering ODL and Online education for the session opted for admission on UGC DEB website, check the details on the HEls website, take note of prohibited programmes and prohibition of franchising arrangement and ensure that all activities are being conducted within Territorial Jurisdiction for ODL Programmes. The details are as under:-

Ensuring Status of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)

Recognition status of HEls: The year-wise, academic session wise status of HEls recognized to offer Programmes through Open and Distance Learning mode and/or Online mode is available on UGC website at https://deb.ugc.ac.in/.

Entitlement Status of HEIs: The list of HEls Entitled to offer Programmes in ODL mode and/or online mode with names of Programmes is available on UGC website at https://deb.ugc.ac.in/.

Please read the notifications at Notice Board before taking admission. The notifications can be accessed on UGC website at the following link: https://www.ugc.gov.in/Noticesor https://deb.ugc.ac.in/notices/NewNotices.

Last date of admissions for all HEls for offering ODL and/or Online Programmes for academic session beginning October, 2024 (revised from July-August, 2024) shall be 15th November, 2024.

Mandatory creation of DEB-ID for enrolling students in ODL/Online Programmes
Commission in its 581" meeting held on 25th June, 2024 decided to standardize the admission process for students enrolling in ODL and/or Ol. programmes to safeguard their academic future and career opportunities.

Accordingly, students shall register on UGC-DEB webportal with his/her Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID to generate a unique DEB-ID which will be mandatory to enroll in ODL/Online programmes in recognized entitled HEls from academic year 2024-25, academic session beginning October, 2024 (revised from July-August, 2024) and onwards.