The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given its green light to 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions to launch Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes for the upcoming academic year 2025-26, starting July–August. In a significant expansion of digital education, 113 universities have also been cleared to run online courses, while 13 institutions will roll out specialized online programmes.

Admissions into all approved ODL and online courses will remain open until October 15, 2025.

The approvals follow a rigorous screening of applications submitted under the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, and its amendments. Only institutions meeting strict quality benchmarks and compliance norms made it to the final list.

Wide participation across states

From Andhra Pradesh’s Acharya Nagarjuna University and Delhi University to Tamil Nadu’s Anna University and Kerala University, the approvals span almost every corner of the country. Other major institutions include Jamia Millia Islamia (Delhi), Panjab University (Chandigarh), University of Mumbai, University of Kashmir, and Amity University (Uttar Pradesh).

Key regulatory shift

In a move set to reshape professional education, the UGC has removed the requirement for AICTE approval for central, state, and private universities offering ODL and online programmes in Management, Computer Applications, and Travel & Tourism. However, deemed-to-be universities will still need AICTE’s nod before launching such courses.

Safeguards and compliance

Approved institutions are mandated to adhere to UGC’s academic and operational standards — from transparent admissions and credit frameworks to setting up Learner Support Centres (LSCs) for student guidance. All admission data must be uploaded on the UGC’s Distance Education Bureau (DEB) portal through reverse API integration, ensuring transparency and monitoring.

The development marks a major step in widening access to higher education across India, providing flexible learning options for lakhs of students who seek affordable and quality education beyond traditional classrooms.

Some of the universities approved by the UGC for ODL and online courses include:

Andhra Pradesh: Acharya Nagarjuna University (Guntur), Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidyalayam (Tirupati), Yogi Vemana University, Andhra Pradesh National Sanskrit University, AP Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Sri Venkateswara University (Tirupati)

Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi University

Assam: Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, Gauhati University, Tezpur University

Bihar: Nalanda Open University

Chandigarh: Panjab University, Chandigarh University

Chhattisgarh: Pt. Sundarlal Sharma University, Dr. C. V. Raman University, Mats University

Delhi: University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia

Gujarat: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (Ahmedabad), Gokul Global University

Haryana: Guru Jambeshwar University of Science & Technology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Central University of Haryana

Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh University, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences

Jammu & Kashmir: University of Kashmir, University of Jammu

Jharkhand: Jharkhand State Open University, Arka Jain University

Karnataka: Jain University, Karnataka State Open University, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana

Kerala: Calicut University, Kerala University, Sreenarayanaguru Open University

Madhya Pradesh: Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Jiwaji University, M. P. Bhoj University, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya

Maharashtra: Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Smt Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University, Shivaji University, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, University of Mumbai, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, International Institute for Population Sciences, MIT Art Design & Technology University

Meghalaya: University of Science & Technology

Odisha: Sambalpur University, Utkal University, Odisha State Open University, Sri Sri University, Fakir Mohan University, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University

Puducherry: Pondicherry University

Punjab: Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State University, Lovely Professional University, Punjabi University, Desh Bhagat University

Rajasthan: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Jagannath University, Jaipur National University, Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Vivekananda Global University

Tamil Nadu: Annamalai University, Anna University (Chennai), Bharathidasan University (Tiruchirappalli), B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (Chennai), Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Higher Education (Srivilliputhur), Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (Tirunelveli), Tamil Nadu Open University (Chennai), University of Madras, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Chennai), Mother Teresa Women’s University, VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Bharathiar University, Periyar University

Telangana: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Hyderabad), ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Kakatiya University

Tripura: Mata Tripura Sundari Open University

Uttar Pradesh: Amity University, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Mangalayatan University, Integral University, Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, IIMT University

Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand Open University, University of Patanjali

West Bengal: Netaji Subhas Open University, Rabindra Bharati University, University of Kalyani, University of North Bengal, University of Burdwan

In a key regulatory change, the UGC has relaxed the requirement for prior approval from the AICTE. Central, state, and private universities no longer need AICTE approval to offer Management, Computer Applications, and Travel and Tourism programmes via ODL or online mode. However, Deemed-to-be Universities must still obtain AICTE approval before launching these programmes.

Universities offering ODL and online programmes are required to follow academic and operational standards, including eligibility of learners, admission procedures, course duration, credit system, and territorial jurisdiction rules. Institutions must also establish Learner Support Centres (LSCs) to provide guidance to students. All admissions must be submitted online via the DEB Web Portal using reverse API integration to ensure transparency and compliance with UGC regulations.