UGC Guidelines 2025-26 - Every Student Should Know Before Enrolling in Online Programmes

UGC Guidelines for Online Degree Students

The UGC guidelines act as a roadmap to make safe academic choices for online degree students.

Verify Recognition of Institutions

Before enrolling, it is necessary for students to confirm whether the Higher Educational Institution (HEI) is entitled or recognised by UGC to offer online or ODL programmes. The recognition and entitlement status of HEIs, along with programme details, are available on the official UGC-DEB portal.

Check Official Website Details

UGC has made it mandatory for recognized HEIs to upload details such as UGC applications, statutory body approvals, affidavits, and other official documents on their websites. It also urges students to cross-check these details before taking admission.

Mandatory DEB-ID for Admission

From the 2024–25 academic session onwards, students are required to register on the UGC-DEB web portal using their Academic Bank of Credits (ABC-ID) to generate a unique DEB-ID. This ID is mandatory for admission to ODL and online programmes and will remain valid for lifelong learning.

Check Institutions’ Approval Every Session

UGC has barred certain universities from offering ODL and online programmes and admitting students. For example:

• Suresh GyanVihar University, Rajasthan, has been barred from offering online programmes for the 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, has been restricted 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".

• NALSAR University, Telangana, has been banned from offering ODL Programmes for the academic year 2024-25, beginning from academic session October 2024 (revised from July- August, 2024).

Prohibited Programmes

Apart from certain universities, UGC has also framed a list of programmes in certain fields that are prohibited to be offered under online and ODL mode. These fields are Engineering, Medical, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Law, Architecture, Agriculture, Hotel Management, Culinary Sciences, Aviation, Visual Arts, Sports, M.Phil, and Ph.D. Students must avoid enrolling in such prohibited programmes under online or ODL mode.

Equivalence of Degrees

Degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level and postgraduate diplomas awarded through online and ODL programmes by UGC-recognised institutions are considered equivalent to those offered through conventional classroom modes. This ensures equal acceptance in higher studies and employment opportunities.

Also Read: Are Online Technical Degrees Valid in India?

UGC Guidelines For Institutions To Offer ODL and Online Programmes

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has laid down institutional level eligibility criteria to be met to offer programmes under ODL and Online programmes.

Open and Distance Learning Mode: Any Higher Educational Institution (HEI) can apply for offering programmes through the Open and Distance Learning mode if:

• They are accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a minimum score of 3.01 on a 4-point scale.

or

• They have rank in top-100 in the University category of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), at least once in two preceding cycles (at the time of application).

The NAAC and NIRF Ranking requirements shall be valid for one academic session and will be reviewed by the Commission for the subsequent academic session.

Online Mode: Institutions having NAAC score 3.26 and above or having rank in Top-100 in University category of NIRF, at least twice in three preceding cycles (at the time of application), shall be permitted to start full-fledged Online programmes without prior approval of the UGC.

Any Higher Educational Institution can apply for offering programmes through the Online mode if:

• It is in existence for at least three years

• Shall be accredited by the NAAC with a minimum score of 3.01 on a 4-point scale

or

• Shall be in the top-100 in University category in the NIRF for at least once in last two preceding cycles (at the time of application)

The NAAC and NIRF Ranking requirements shall be valid for one academic session and shall be reviewed by the Commission for the subsequent academic session.

A Higher Educational Institution that has NAAC valid score equal or more than 3.26 or having rank in Top-100 in University category of NIRF at least twice in three preceding cycles can enroll international learners.

Check UGC Entitled vs UGC Recognised Online Degree: What Students Should Know?

Thus, for students planning to enrol in online degree programmes, UGC guidelines provide safe academic choices. Students always check the UGC-DEB portal and ensure their institution’s recognition to avoid enrolling in prohibited programmes. Following these guidelines ensures an online degree remains credible, valid, and widely accepted.