Streams Prohibited from Offering Distance Learning Courses in India

Distance learning in India has long been stereotyped as a medium best only for students who cannot manage to opt for traditional/classroom learning. However, today, it is looked at as nothing but an opportunity to enhance one’s skills, knowledge and qualifications.

With the growing popularity of distance learning, students are often in two minds as to whether their chosen stream is permitted to offer courses in distance mode or not. This further results in ending up pursuing an unapproved Open and Distance Learning Programme (ODLP) from an unrecognised institution.

Over the years, the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), under the University Grants Commission (UGC) , has prohibited all the approved Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) from offering programmes in a number of streams. For any prospective learner, questions such as “which are the streams in which distance learning courses are not available?”, “which courses are offered in distance mode in India?”, “are technical degrees allowed in India through distance mode?” are but normal to come up. Read on to find answers to all of these questions.

What is the Regulatory Body for Distance Education in India?

DEB is the regulator of distance education in India. After the dissolution of the former regulator, the Distance Education Council (DEC), its functions were entrusted with the UGC under DEB with effect from 2013. As per the order issued by the MHRD, UGC was directed to act as a regulator for the country’s higher education system in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode along with technical education in universities and affiliated colleges.

Streams in Which Distance Learning Courses are Not Available in India

As per the regulations put forward by the UGC in the official Gazette on June 23, 2017, programmes in the below-mentioned streams were prohibited from being offered by any regulatory authority or statutory council:

• Medicine

• Engineering

• Hotel Management

• Pharmacy

• Nursing

• Dental

• Architecture

• Culinary Management

• Agriculture

• Physiotherapy

All the other programmes apart from these streams are termed as “Professional Programmes” by the UGC. Programmes like B.Ed , MBA are two of the professional programmes, which are offered by HEIs after getting the approval of respective regulatory authorities.

Are Technical Degrees Allowed through Distance Mode in India?

No institution in India is permitted to offer a technical degree/programme except MCA and MBA in distance/correspondence mode. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) also does not recognise any technical qualification obtained through distance mode apart from these two.

The programmes including Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) are also not allowed to be offered in the distance mode. These programmes were recognised before 2009 when the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) asked the DEC (now DEB) to withdraw its permission to conduct B.Tech/B.E through distance mode.

Approved Undergraduate (UG) Programmes Offering in Distance Mode in India

Given below are the approved and recognised undergraduate programmes offered by various HEIs in distance mode:

Approved Postgraduate (PG) Programmes Offering in Distance Mode in India

Listed below are the postgraduate programmes in diverse fields offered through distance mode in the country:

​Benefits of Distance Learning

Wondering why one should pursue higher education in distance mode? Although known to be the road less travelled in India, distance learning gives an edge over several aspects. Let us go through some of them:

• Students can implement their own way of learning and studying: Unlike classroom learning where one is expected to learn in a definite way, distance learning gives the freedom to adopt a style of learning that one is comfortable with.

• Achieve other goals at the same time : With distance education, one does not have to worry about going to the classroom or report at a pre-assigned time.

• Low cost: As compared to traditional learning, distance education is less expensive.

• Flexibility: Students can work at their own pace and not worry about competing with other students.

Universities/colleges including Chandigarh University, Mohali ; Graphic Era University, Dehradun ; Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad ; Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula , etc. offer courses in various streams in which distance education is allowed. Also, ensure an easy application process by filling out the Common Application Form (CAF) .

In case candidates have further queries regarding streams in which distance, please reach out to us on our QnA zone or call our student helpline number 1800-572-9877 to get in touch with one of our counsellors.