UGC Distance Education 2025-26: Over 100 Universities Approved for ODL and Online Courses

Published On - Oct 08, 2025 12:18PM IST

UGC Distance Education 2025-26 Over 100 Universities Approved for ODL and Online Courses.webp

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially approved 101 universities across India to offer online and distance learning (ODL) programs for the academic year 2025–26. This move supports the growing demand for flexible education and digital learning platforms. Students can now apply to these recognized institutions for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

What This Means for Students

With this consent, students have the liberty to pursue a degree of their choice at any university besides attending regular classes. Such an option is most convenient for a working professional, a learner at a distance, and a person who is looking for a cheap mode of study. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has stated that only those institutions that have passed the prescribed quality and other regulatory criteria have been given the green light.

Categories of Approved Institutions

Category	Number of Institutions
Universities approved for ODL	101
Universities approved for Online	113
Category-I Institutions	20
Specialized Online Programs	13

UGC Admission Deadline 2025

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially announced that the last date to submit applications for open and distance learning (ODL) and online courses is October 15, 2025. Students willing to avail the seats allotted for the upcoming academic session must send in their applications on or before the mentioned date.

Complete List of UGC Approved Online & Distance Universities

Here is the list of the universities approved for online and distance learning-

State	University Name
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	Rajiv Gandhi University
Assam	Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University
	Gauhati University
	Tezpur University
Bihar	Nalanda Open University
Chandigarh	Panjab University
	Pt. Sundarlal Sharma University
	Dr. C. V. Raman University
	Mats University
Delhi	University Of Delhi
Delhi	Jamia Millia Islamia
Gujarat	Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad
Gujarat	Gokul Global University
Haryana	Guru Jambeshwar University Of Science & Technology
	Maharshi Dayanand University
	Central University Of Haryana
Himachal Pradesh	Himachal Pradesh University
Himachal Pradesh	Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences
Jammu & Kashmir	University Of Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir	University Of Jammu
Jharkhand	Jharkhand State Open University
Jharkhand	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
Maharashtra	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	Chandigarh University
	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
Uttarakhand	University Of Patanjali
West Bengal	Netaji Subhas Open University
	Rabindra Bharati University
	University Of Kalyani
	University Of North Bengal
	University Of Burdwan

Restrictions on Certain Courses

According to the UGC, starting in the 2025–26 academic session, courses in healthcare and related degrees that fall under disciplines recognized by the Indian Nursing Council, Medical Council of India, or any other similar statutory body will not be permitted in a full online or distance mode. The UGC feels that it is critical to protect the quality of education in subjects that require practical training. Students will not be able to obtain clinical or laboratory experience through remote learning. Similarly, the UGC believes it is essential for students in healthcare courses to have proper lab work as well as clinical exposure, which would not be achievable through online or distance education.

How to Apply at these UGC approved Universities?

Students interested in enrolling should-

Step 1: Students must visit the official website of a recognized university to apply to these colleges.

Step 2: Review the information about the courses and requirements.

Step 3: Complete the application form on/ before the due date of October 15, 2025.

Step 4: Check if the program is UGC-DEB recognized.

UGC Approval Expands Online and Distance Learning for Working and Remote Students

Approval of more than 100 universities by the UGC for online and distance learning is a significant step for increasing access to education. Students from across India can now pursue their studies at home, rather than moving to a new city and attending classes in person. This shift is excellent for working professionals, parents, and those who live in remote areas. The remote and/or online learning option allows so many more people to develop better futures for themselves, without having to stop their current life and obligations.

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