UGC Releases Notice Stating Precautions to be taken by Students before Enrolling for Open and Distance Learning Programmes

UGC stated that it should be ensured that the admission process is carried out in a transparent manner through the headquarters of the HEIs. Learners are also advised to verify all the details requested by the institution on the website.

Adherence to the duration of the academic session, the prohibition of the franchise agreement and ensuring that all activities are within territorial jurisdiction are included in the checklist issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for students before enrolling in distance learning programmes.

UGC Official Notice for ODL Programmes. Read here

"Please ensure that the minimum duration, nomenclature and qualification for the degree programme under which they are enrolled is strictly consistent with the UGC notification of the specification of the degrees and their amendments," said UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain in a notice listing the precautions that must be taken by students before enrolling in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes.

"Also ensure that all activities of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) including admissions, counselling sessions, contact programmes, programme delivery and examinations are strictly carried out within the territorial jurisdiction," he added.

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As per norms, no university, whether central, state, private or deemed to be a university, can offer its programmes through franchise agreements with private coaching institutions for the admission of learners and the conduct of courses through open and distance learning and online.

"Please ensure that the admission process is carried out in a transparent manner through the headquarters of the HEIs. Learners are also advised to verify all the details as indicated on the website by the institution. If any deviations are noted, please inform UGC of the need for punitive action as defined in the respective regulations," Jain said.

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The Secretary also stated that, in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has decided that the revised academic session for this year, as decided by the ODL Commission, will be held for a period of 12 months from September-October 2020 and from February-March 2021.

Students were also advised against admission to programmes prohibited from distance learning, including engineering, medicine, law, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy, agriculture, hotel management, culinary studies, property valuation, and MPhil or PhD programmes in any discipline.

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