Distance/Online Degree Admission 2026: Last Date, UGC Guidelines, Top Colleges
Admissions to distance and online degree programmes for academic year 2026-27, academic session August 2026, are open in UGC-approved colleges in India. As per the latest University Grants Commission (UGC) – Distance Education Bureau (DEB) notification, eligible HEIs are invited for recognition to offer programmes under ODL and Online mode for the academic year 2026–27 (session beginning August 2026).
This Story also Contains
- Distance / Online Programme Admission 2026: Important Dates
- How To Verify Universities Offering Online Programmes?
- Mandatory Creation of DEB-ID
- List of Universities Entitled to Offer Online Programme
- List of Universities Recognised to Offer ODL Programme
UGC DEB is the regulatory body that administers the admissions process, approval and the overall things for the open and distance learning (ODL) and online programmes. The UGC advises students to take precautions before applying for online programmes. It lays down the minimum standards of instruction for the grant of online degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Distance / Online Programme Admission 2026: Important Dates
UGC has invited applications from eligible higher educational institutions (HEIs) for recognition to offer programmes under ODL and Online mode for the academic year 2026–27 (session beginning August 2026). The last submission date is May 11, 2026.
| Events | Last Date |
|---|---|
| Application window | April 27, 2026 – May 11, 2026 |
| Last date for hard copy submission | May 20, 2026 |
How To Verify Universities Offering Online Programmes?
To ensure the quality of online education, UGC DEB has made regulations so that students can enrol in the right institution and programme.
According to UGC guidelines, the higher educational institutions (HEIs) that are entitled to offer online programmes must meet NAAC or NIRF ranking requirements.
The UGC has made it mandatory for all HEIs that are recognised and entitled to offer ODL and Online programmes to display the following details on their websites.
Applications submitted to UGC
Affidavits and approvals from statutory bodies
Regulatory authority approvals (if applicable)
Additional information on their website as per regulation 9, i.e., Self-regulation through disclosures, declarations and reports of UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.
This information will significantly help prospective students to choose the right university for online programmes.
Students should also confirm the recognition status of HEIs offering ODL and Online education for the session opted for admission on UGC DEB website, check the details on the HEIs' 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.
Apply For Online Degrees in 2026
Mandatory Creation of DEB-ID
Students applying for open distance learning and online programmes are required to create a DEB ID on the UGC-DEB web portal. They shall register their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID to generate a unique DEB-ID to enroll in ODL/Online programmes in recognised/entitled HEIs. The DEB-ID once generated on the UGC-DEB web portal will remain valid for lifelong ODL/Online learning.
Check How to Create a UGC DEB ID for Admission in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Programmes
List of Universities Entitled to Offer Online Programme
UGC has released a new list of HEIs entitled to offer online programmes from academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025. As per the new UGC list, 113 universities, across state, private, central, state open, and deemed-to-be, are entitled to offer programmes in online mode.
Additionally, the latest UGC notification lists 13 higher education institutions (HEIs) recognised to offer online programmes for academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025.
List of UGC Entitled Universities For Online Programmes (2025-26)
| University Name | Type | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra University | State University | 12 |
| Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation | Deemed-To- Be University | 8 |
| Vignan’s Foundation For Science, Technology And Research | Deemed-To- Be University | 6 |
| Mohan Babu University | Private University | 5 |
| Assam Down Town University | Private University | 4 |
| Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | Central University | 13 |
| MATS University | Private University | 5 |
| Jamia Hamdard | Deemed To Be University | 8 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Central University | 12 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Central University | 1 |
| Central Sanskrit University | Central University | 6 |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya | State University | 4 |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | Deemed To Be University | 1 |
| Gujarat University | State University | 6 |
| Charotar University Of Science & Technology | Private University | 4 |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University | State Open University | 10 |
| Parul University | Private University | 10 |
| Marwadi University | Private University | 7 |
| Gujarat Technological University | State University | 1 |
| G.L.S. University | Private University | 6 |
| P.P. Savani University | Private University | 5 |
| Guru Jambheshwar University Of Science And Technology | State University | 8 |
| Kurukshetra University | State University | 9 |
| Maharshi Dayanand University | State University | 8 |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar | Deemed-To- Be- University | 6 |
| Manav Rachna International Institute Of Research & Studies | Deemed-To- Be- University | 5 |
| Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University | Private University | 5 |
| Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences | Private University | 8 |
| Central University Of Himachal Pradesh | Central University | 5 |
| University Of Jammu | State University | 2 |
| Birla Institute Of Technology | Deemed To Be University | 1 |
| Jain (Deemed-To-Be University) | Deemed-To- Be- University | 11 |
| JSS Academy Of Education And Research | Deemed To Be University | 3 |
| Manipal Academy Of Higher Education | Deemed To Be University | 7 |
| Bangalore University | State University | 10 |
| University Of Mysore | State University | 12 |
| Yenepoya | Deemed To Be University | 6 |
| Visveswaraiah Technological University | State University | 13 |
| Karnataka State Open University | State Open University | 10 |
| Christ (Deemed To Be University) | Deemed To Be University | 7 |
| Dayanand Sagar University | Private University | 5 |
| Alliance University | Private University | 3 |
| Adichunchana Giri University | Private University | 1 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | State University | 13 |
| University Of Kerala | State University | 4 |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidya Laya | State University | 3 |
| Sage University | Private University | 9 |
| Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Pune) | Deemed To Be University | 3 |
| D.Y. Patil (Navi Mumbai) | Deemed To Be University | 4 |
| Symbiosis International | Deemed To Be University | 10 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth | Deemed To Be University | 4 |
| Datta Meghe Institute Of Higher Education And Research | Deemed To Be University | 5 |
| University Of Mumbai | State University | 1 |
| Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies (NMIMS) | Deemed To Be University | 4 |
| Shivaji University | State University | 3 |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | State University | 5 |
| Mizoram University | Central University | 12 |
| Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology | Deemed To Be University | 8 |
| Centurion University Of Technology And Management | Private University | 6 |
| Chandigarh University | Private University | 10 |
| Chitkara University | Private University | 2 |
| Lovely Professional University | Private University | 12 |
| Guru Nanak Dev University | State University | 11 |
| Guru Kashi University | Private University | 13 |
| Desh Bhagat University | Private University | 13 |
| Manipal University | Private University | 8 |
| Vivekananda Global University | Private University | 9 |
| Banasthali Vidyapith | Deemed To Be University | 11 |
| Mody University Of Science And Technology | Private University | 7 |
| Amity University | Private University | 9 |
| Jaipur National University | Private University | 8 |
| Sikkim Manipal University | Private University | 9 |
| Shri Ramasamy Memorial University | Private University | 6 |
| Bharathidasan University | State University | 10 |
| Bharath Institute Of Higher Education And Research | Deemed-To- Be University | 3 |
| B.S Abdur Rahman Institute Of Science And Technology | Deemed-To- Be University | 3 |
| Madurai Kamaraj University | State University | 9 |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational And Research Institute | Deemed-To- Be University | 7 |
| Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | Deemed-To- Be University | 10 |
| Sathyabama Institute Of Science And Technology | Deemed-To- Be University | 6 |
| S.R.M. Institute Of Sciences And Technology | Deemed-To- Be University | 5 |
| University Of Madras | State University | 9 |
| Kalasalingam Academy Of Research And Higher Education | Deemed-To- Be University | 7 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University | Deemed-To- Be University | 8 |
| Alagappa University | State University | 8 |
| Bharathiar University | State University | 11 |
| Vellore Institute Of Technology | Deemed-To- Be University | 4 |
| Manonmaniam Sundaranar University | State University | 10 |
| Hindustan Institute Of Technology And Science (HITS) | Deemed-To- Be University | 5 |
| Karunya Institute Of Technology And Sciences | Deemed-To- Be University | 2 |
| Meenakshi Academy Of Higher Education And Research | Deemed-To- Be University | 3 |
| Anna University | State University | 2 |
| Vel’s Institute Of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (ViISTAS) | Deemed-To- Be University | 2 |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute Of Higher Education And Research | Deemed-To- Be University | 1 |
| ICFAI Foundation For Higher Education | Deemed-To- Be University | 2 |
| International Institute Of Information Technology | Deemed-To- Be University | 1 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Central University | 11 |
| Amity University | Private University | 12 |
| Sharda University | Private University | 7 |
| Mangalayatan University | Private University | 12 |
| Shiv Nadar Institution Of Eminence | Deemed-To- Be University | 1 |
| Integral University | Private University | 13 |
| G.L.A. University | Private University | 3 |
| Dayal Bagh Educational Institute | Deemed To Be University | 5 |
| University Of Lucknow | State University | 9 |
| Noida International University | Private University | 9 |
| Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University | State University | 6 |
| Galgotias University | Private University | 8 |
| Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University | State University | 8 |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University | State University | 5 |
| Graphic Era | Deemed-To- Be University | 5 |
| University Of Petroleum And Energy Studies | Private University | 8 |
| Uttaranchal University | Private University | 5 |
Explore UGC Entitled vs UGC Recognised Online Degree: What Students Should Know?
List of Universities Recognised to Offer ODL Programme
UGC has also released a new list of HEIs entitled to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programmes from academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025. As per the new UGC list, 101 institutions are recognised to offer programmes under open and distance learning mode.
Apart from this, UGC DEB has also listed Category-I HEIs entitled to offer ODL programmes for academic year 2025-26, academic session July-August, 2025. As per the latest UGC notification, 20 institutions are entitled to ODL programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Currently, admission is open for July-August 2026 session across UGC-approved colleges in India. The last date for admission to online programmes for academic session August 2026 will be as per the UGC notification.
Working professionals, graduates, and remote learners can enrol in online programmes.
The best online degrees at the undergraduate level are Online BBA, Online BSc, Online BA, Online BCA, and Online B.Com. At the PG level, courses include Online MBA, Online MCA, Online MA, Online MSc, and Online M.Com.
Choosing the right online programmes and colleges requires a thoughtful consideration of institutes’ recognition and accreditation, curriculum design and structure, course outcomes, and networking opportunities.
Prospective students must visit the official website of their chosen institution, fill in and submit the application form, along with supporting documents, and pay the requisite application fee.
