HRD Ministry’s New Norms: 230 Universities To Begin Online Degree Programs

The Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD) is likely to declare new regulations after UGC sets criteria that will regularise Universities to deliver online degree courses. 

As the University Grants Commission (UGC) sets new eligibility criteria, about 200 universities will be able to improve chances of accessing higher education. 

On recommendations of MHRD, UGC has finalised a proposal stating, “a university which fulfils one of the two criteria — NAAC 3.01 and above CGPA (Grade A) or among the top 100 NIRF rankings will be allowed to offer online degrees. 

This will expand the eligibility base to over 230 universities, significantly higher than the previous plan of 100 universities".

Earlier, the government only allowed universities that made it to the top 100 NIRF Rankings and secured National Assessment and Accreditation Council 3.26 CGPA (Grade A+), to offer online degree courses. 

As a fact, only 67 universities were eligible for it. As per a Senior HRD Minister, "Under present rules, many good universities will be missing out on the opportunity as they have to fulfil both the criteria. 

So the ministry asked the UGC to have a review so that more institutions can offer online degrees but without diluting the quality.”

The initiative is believed to increase enrolments in higher education and improve the quality of education, whatsoever.

As per sources close to MHRD, about 100 universities will offer online degree programs from the 2020 academic session.

S C Sharma, NAAC Director said, Equity and accessibility is important and gross enrolment has to go up significantly. But quality has to be ensured and allowing institutions of 3.01 CGPA and above to offer online degrees will ensure that. 

Moreover, universities which aspire to offer online deg-rees now will enhance their student-faculty ratio, improve their infrastructure so that they get at least NAAC A grade or among the top 100 NIRF institutions which will translate into quality improvement as well."