Is Your Online College Approved? UGC DEB Compliance Check 2026
Students looking for a flexible programme or an online degree must check whether their chosen college is recognised and offer valid programmes. For every academic session, the University Grants Commission - Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) grants approval for distance and online programmes in India. Students enrolling in the 2026-27 academic year must check if their college and online degree is approved by UGC and meets the UGC-DEB compliance.
This Story also Contains
- What Makes an Online Degree Legal in India?
- Universities Banned from Offering Online Programmes
- UGC Approved Online Colleges in India 2026: Key Highlights
- Prohibited Programmes Under Online and Distance Mode
- UGC-DEB Compliance Check for Your Online College
- List of Universities Entitled For Online Programmes
- UGC Approved Online Degree in India
What Makes an Online Degree Legal in India?
Currently, 113 higher educational institutions (HEIs) are entitled by UGC to offer online programmes. These institutions collectively offer 756 online programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
There are also 13 HEIs recognised to offer online programmes and these institutions collectively offer 46 online degree programmes at UG and PG levels.
Students are required to check and verify the entitlement and recognition status of their chosen college before enrolling in any online programme. Here is what the UGC notification stated:
Recognition Status of HEIs: The year-wise, academic session wise status of HEIs recognised to offer programmes through Open and Distance mode and Online mode is available on UGC website at deb.ugc.ac.in.
Entitlement Status of HEIs: The list of Entitled HEIs with names of Online Programmes is available on UGC website at deb.ugc.ac.in.
Also Read: UGC Entitled vs UGC Recognised Online Degree: What Students Should Know?
Universities Banned from Offering Online Programmes
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the list of higher educational institutions (HEIs) that are banned from offering online programmes:
| University Name | Remarks |
|---|---|
Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Rajasthan | Debarred/banned from offering Online programmes for the next five academic sessions beginning from July-August, 2024, and no application shall be considered for the academic year 2024- 25 and 2025-26 to offer programmes in Online mode, even under "Entitled Category". |
Periyar University, Tamil Nadu | Debarred / banned from offering Online Programmes for two academic years 2024-25 and 2025-26 starting from academic session beginning July/August 2024, even under "Entitled Category". |
Also Read: Unaccredited Universities Offering Online Degree in India
UGC Approved Online Colleges in India 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Total Entitled HEIs | 113 |
Total Recognised HEIs | 13 |
Total Entitled Programmes | 756 |
Total Recognised Programmes | 46 |
Current Admission Session | August 2026 (Academic Year 2026-27) |
Prohibited Programmes Under Online and Distance Mode
The UGC has listed the domains, including their allied domains, where online and distance programmes are prohibited:
Engineering and Technology (B.Tech / M.Tech)
Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences
Pharmacy
Architecture
Hotel Management and Catering Technology
Law (LLB / LLM)
Agriculture
Horticulture
Hotel Management
Catering Technology
Culinary Sciences
Aircraft Maintenance
Visual Arts and Sports
Aviation
If any online college offers a degree in these fields, it is completely unapproved. Further, Yoga and Tourism and Hospitality Management programmes at the UG and PG level are not permitted in Online mode.
M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes in all disciplines through Open and Distance Learning and Online mode are also not permitted.
Also Read: Are Online Technical Degrees Valid in India?
UGC-DEB Compliance Check for Your Online College
Not all online colleges are approved by the UGC to offer online programmes in India. Students must check the steps mentioned below to verify whether chosen college meets UGC-DEB compliance and approved for online programmes:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Step 2: Navigate to the Institutional Status Pages
Step 3: Check the Program-Wise List
Step 4: Verify Your Institutions’ DEB-ID
Also Read: Think Twice! These Online Programs Could Be a Waste of Your Time and Money
List of Universities Entitled For Online Programmes
The list of online universities entitled to offer online programmes, involving state, private, central, deemed-to-be, and open universities, emphasise their academic diversity. A total of 756 online programmes offered by these universities reflect broader higher education opportunities available to students with different backgrounds and age. Here is the list of 113 universities entitled to offer online programmes:
State Universities offering Online Programmes
Name | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|
Andhra University | 12 |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya | 4 |
Gujarat University | 6 |
Gujarat Technological University | 1 |
Guru Jambheshwar University Of Science And Technology | 8 |
Kurukshetra University | 9 |
Maharshi Dayanand University | 8 |
University Of Jammu | 2 |
Bangalore University | 10 |
University Of Mysore | 12 |
Visveswaraiah Technological University | 13 |
Mahatma Gandhi University | 13 |
University Of Kerala | 4 |
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidya Laya | 3 |
University Of Mumbai | 1 |
Shivaji University | 3 |
Savitribai Phule Pune University | 5 |
Guru Nanak Dev University | 11 |
Bharathidasan University | 10 |
Madurai Kamaraj University | 9 |
University Of Madras | 9 |
Alagappa University | 8 |
Bharathiar University | 11 |
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University | 10 |
Anna University | 2 |
University Of Lucknow | 9 |
Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University | 6 |
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University | 8 |
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University | 5 |
Central Universities Offering Online Programmes
| Name | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | 13 |
Jamia Millia Islamia University | 12 |
Jawaharlal Nehru University | 1 |
Central Sanskrit University | 6 |
Central University Of Himachal Pradesh | 5 |
Mizoram University | 12 |
Aligarh Muslim University | 11 |
State Open Universities
| Name | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University | 10 |
Karnataka State Open University | 10 |
Private Online Universities
| Name | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|
Mohan Babu University | 5 |
Assam Down Town University | 4 |
MATS University | 5 |
Charotar University Of Science & Technology | 4 |
Parul University | 10 |
Marwadi University | 7 |
G.L.S. University | 6 |
P.P. Savani University | 5 |
Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University | 5 |
Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences | 8 |
Dayanand Sagar University | 5 |
Alliance University | 3 |
Adichunchana Giri University | 1 |
Sage University | 9 |
Centurion University Of Technology And Management | 6 |
Chandigarh University | 10 |
Chitkara University | 2 |
Lovely Professional University | 12 |
Guru Kashi University | 13 |
Desh Bhagat University | 13 |
Manipal University | 8 |
Vivekananda Global University | 9 |
Mody University Of Science And Technology | 7 |
Amity University | 9 |
Jaipur National University | 8 |
Sikkim Manipal University | 9 |
Shri Ramasamy Memorial University | 6 |
Amity University | 12 |
Sharda University | 7 |
Mangalayatan University | 12 |
Integral University | 13 |
G.L.A. University | 3 |
Noida International University | 9 |
Galgotias University | 8 |
University Of Petroleum And Energy Studies | 8 |
Uttaranchal University | 5 |
Deemed To Be Universities Offering Online Programmes
| Name | Number of Programmes |
|---|---|
Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation | 8 |
Vignan’s Foundation For Science, Technology And Research | 6 |
Jamia Hamdard | 8 |
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | 1 |
Maharishi Markandeshwar | 6 |
Manav Rachna International Institute Of Research & Studies | 5 |
Birla Institute Of Technology | 1 |
Jain (Deemed-To-Be University) | 11 |
Jss Academy Of Education And Research | 3 |
Manipal Academy Of Higher Education | 7 |
Yenepoya | 6 |
Christ (Deemed To Be University) | 7 |
Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Pune) | 3 |
D.Y. Patil (Navi Mumbai) | 4 |
Symbiosis International | 10 |
Bharati Vidyapeeth | 4 |
Datta Meghe Institute Of Higher Education And Research | 5 |
Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies (Nmims) | 4 |
Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology | 8 |
Banasthali Vidyapith | 11 |
Bharath Institute Of Higher Education And Research | 3 |
B.S Abdur Rahman Institute Of Science And Technology | 3 |
Dr. M.G.R. Educational And Research Institute | 7 |
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | 10 |
Sathyabama Institute Of Science And Technology | 6 |
S.R.M. Institute Of Sciences And Technology | 5 |
Kalasalingam Academy Of Research And Higher Education | 7 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University | 8 |
Vellore Institute Of Technology | 4 |
Hindustan Institute Of Technology And Science (Hits) | 5 |
Karunya Institute Of Technology And Sciences | 2 |
Meenakshi Academy Of Higher Education And Research | 3 |
Vel’s Institute Of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (ViISTAS) | 2 |
Sri Ramachandra Institute Of Higher Education And Research | 1 |
ICFAI Foundation For Higher Education | 2 |
International Institute Of Information Technology | 1 |
Shiv Nadar Institution Of Eminence | 1 |
Dayal Bagh Educational Institute | 5 |
Graphic Era | 5 |
UGC Approved Online Degree in India
UGC-approved universities in India allow students to pursue a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in diverse disciplines. These disciplines range from traditional streams like Arts and Commerce to modern fields such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Management: Online BBA, Online MBA, Online PGDM, Online Executive MBA
Computer Applications: Online BCA, Online MCA
Arts & Humanities: Online BA, Online MA
Science: Online BSc, Online MSc
Commerce: Online BCom, Online MCom
List of UGC-Approved Online Degrees in India
Students can enrol in various online degrees offered by UGC-approved universities in India. The list of online degrees is as follows:
Students enrolling in online degree courses in India must verify the recognition status of their chosen college. The UGC entitlement of 113 higher educational institutions (HEIs) to offer full-fledged online programmes shows a huge shift toward increasing access to higher education in India. With the addition of 13 new universities in 2025, students have greater flexibility and more choices to pursue online programmes from the top universities in India.
