| Updated On - Jul 25, 2026
Delhi University Academic Council has renamed the School of Open Learning as the Centre for Distance and Online Education. The Principal post is redesignated as Director CDOE. The move aligns DU with UGC 2022 regulations.
The University of Delhi (DU) has renamed the School of Open Learning (SOL) as the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). The Academic Council of DU approved the change at its 1027th meeting held on Friday, July 24, 2026. Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh chaired the meeting. The recommendation was earlier made by the Governing Body of SOL.
Alongside the rename, the Principal of SOL will be redesignated as Director, CDOE. As per the notification, the Director post will be a full-time role at the Associate Professor level or higher. The change aligns DU with the University Grants Commission (UGC) 2022 regulations. These rules require higher education institutions offering distance and online programmes to set up a dedicated CDOE.
Key Details of the DU SOL Rename Decision
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Old Name | School of Open Learning (SOL) |
| New Name | Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) |
| Approving Body | DU Academic Council (1027th meeting) |
| Date of Approval | July 24, 2026 |
| Chaired By | Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh |
| New Head Designation | Director, CDOE (Associate Professor level or higher) |
| Regulatory Basis | UGC 2022 Regulations on Distance and Online Education |
What Changes for Current and Prospective Students?
The rename is administrative and does not disrupt ongoing programmes. Existing students of SOL will continue their courses without any change in curriculum. Degrees will now be issued under the CDOE identity going forward. Admissions, examinations, and result processes remain with the same unit under its new name.
Prospective applicants for the 2026-27 session should look for the CDOE branding on official DU pages. The programmes offered, fee structure, and study material system stay the same for now. Any structural updates linked to UGC compliance will be notified separately by the university.
Why Has DU Made This Change?
The UGC issued fresh regulations in 2022 for open, distance, and online learning. These rules mandate a single dedicated centre within each institution for such programmes. The unit must be led by a full-time Director at a senior academic rank. DU has now brought SOL in line with these norms through the rename and redesignation.
DU SOL Naming History
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| Before 2003 | School of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education |
| November 24, 2003 | School of Open Learning (SOL) |
| July 24, 2026 | Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) |
Other Decisions Taken at the Same Meeting
The Academic Council also approved the Arun Jaitley Sports Scholarship at the same session. The scholarship honours the late former Union Minister and ex-DUSU president. It will support undergraduate athletes competing at national or international levels.
Arun Jaitley Sports Scholarship at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of Awards | 3 per year |
| Total Value | Rs 50,000 combined annually |
| Reserved Category | At least one award for a female student |
| Eligibility | UG athletes at national or international level |
| Funding Source | Interest from Rs 10 lakh corpus, over 20 years |
| Award Date | August 13, every year |
How to Verify the Change on Official DU Channels?
Students can check the official DU website at du.ac.in for formal notifications. The current SOL portal is sol.du.ac.in, which is expected to reflect the CDOE branding soon. Notices about admissions and examinations will continue on the same portal.
SOL is one of India's largest distance learning bodies. Its rename signals a wider shift in how UGC treats distance and online study. The move may bring stronger online programme delivery for future DU learners.
Action Plan for Students
- Visit the official portal at sol.du.ac.in for the latest circulars.
- Note the new name Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) for future forms.
- Save the UGC 2022 regulation reference if applying for distance programmes.
- Check DU's main site at du.ac.in for the formal notification.
- Track updates on the 2026-27 admission cycle under the CDOE identity.
Watch for the formal DU notification confirming the Director appointment and any updates to the CDOE portal, admission forms, and 2026-27 programme brochures.
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