UGC directs universities to stop offering healthcare, allied programmes in ODL, online mode from July 2025
The decision, taken at the UGC's 592nd meeting on July 23, 2025, follows the recommendations of the 24th Distance Education Bureau Working Group meeting held on April 22, 2025. The ban applies to specialisations including Psychology, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.
According to the directive, no colleges and universities will be permitted to offer such programmes in ODL or online mode from the 2025-26 session. Institutions that have already received recognition to run these programmes will see it withdrawn by the UGC.
In cases where a programme offers multiple specialisations, such as a bachelor of arts degree with majors in subjects like English, Hindi, Punjabi, economics, history, mathematics, public administration, philosoply, political science, statistics, human rights and duties, Sanskrit, psychology, geography, sociology or women studies, only the healthcare-related specialisation will be withdrawn.
The UGC has also instructed HEIs not to admit students into these programmes for the July-August 2025 session onwards. All stakeholders have been advised to strictly comply with the decision.
Earlier, the higher education regulator issued a fresh public advisory cautioning students and HEIs against entering into unrecognised collaborations with foreign educational providers. The University Grants Commission (UGC) reiterated that any degree or diploma awarded through such arrangements will be considered invalid in India and treated as unrecognised by the Commission.
As per UGC regulations, all foreign collaborations must receive explicit approval under the 2022 and 2023 frameworks governing joint degrees, dual degrees, and the setting up of foreign campuses in India.
The latest clarification builds on a previous notice issued on December 12, 2023, which raised concerns over unapproved tie-ups between Indian HEIs and foreign institutions. Despite earlier warnings, the UGC noted that several colleges and EdTech platforms continue to offer joint or online degree and diploma programmes with foreign entities that lack its recognition.
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