The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently implemented a new enrolment procedure for students seeking admission to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Programmes for the 2024–25 academic year. This change, spearheaded by UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, aims to ensure that students only enrol in approved Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) offering ODL programmes and online programmes, thereby enhancing transparency in the admissions process.
According to the UGC Chairman, the new regulations require students to register on the UGC’s Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) web portals – deb.ugc.ac.in and deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDebId, and create a unique DEB-ID using their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID. This DEB-ID will be mandatory for all students enrolling in recognized ODL/Online programmes, except for foreign learners, and will remain valid for their lifetime. The UGC has developed this mechanism to safeguard student interests and ensure that they only enrol in institutions that meet the minimum standards set by the UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.
The UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, established the minimal requirements for higher education institutions to offer programmes in online and distance learning modes. An annual list of universities approved by the commission to offer online and distance learning programmes is available on the UGC Distance Education Bureau website. This move comes in response to several instances of HEIs admitting students to unrecognised programmes, putting their academic future at risk.
In a bid to increase transparency in ODL and online mode admissions, the UGC decided to standardize the admission procedure for students enrolling in ODL and Online mode during its 581st meeting held on June 25, 2024. The commission aims to safeguard students‘ academic future and career prospects by ensuring they enrol only in approved Higher Educational Institutions offering ODL and online programmes.
The new regulation will be effective from September 2024, and all stakeholders are urged to comply with the new change. Higher Educational Institutions are requested to expedite the smooth implementation of the new mechanism and promote it among new learners to ensure its successful adoption and operation. Learners can contact the Helpdesk set up on the UGC-DEB website for further inquiries or concerns.
In conclusion, the UGC’s new enrolment procedure for ODL and online programmes is a step towards ensuring that students make informed decisions about their education and future. By standardizing the admission process and requiring students to register on the UGC-DEB web portal, the UGC aims to protect students from unscrupulous institutions and promote transparency in the admissions process. It is essential for all stakeholders to adhere to the new regulations to safeguard the interests of students and maintain the integrity of ODL and online education in India.