No AICTE Clearance for ODL Programs in Computer Application, Travel/ Tourism and Management

The Technical Education Regulator has planned to exempt all the top category deemed-to-be-universities from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approval for offering diploma, certificate and degree programmes in open and distance learning (ODL) mode in Computer Application, Management, Travel/ Tourism.

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The decision was made in order to promote the open and distance learning (ODL) mode of education by making the process of getting approval easier. This decision will open gates for the ODL programs in many educational institutes. As a result, the mission of increasing the gross enrollment ratio (GER) in higher education taken by the government will also gain some acceleration. The government aims at increasing the ratio to 40% by 2024 which is currently 26.3%. The remaining Deemed-to-be universities will have to seek approval from the AICTE to start ODL programs in management, computer, travel and tourism applications. The University Grants Commission of India(UGC) will take the final call for granting approval on the basis of AICTE's recommendations.

As per the reports, an official notification of the decision for this decision is expected to be released soon. Once the notifications are out, all the Deemed-to-be-universities that fall within Category 1 institutions would be exempted from the mandatory requirement to obtain prior approval from AICTE for the start of an MBA, Diploma / Degree in Travel and Tourism and MCA in ODL Mode.

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As per the UGC regulations, Deemed-to-be-universities which feature in the list of top 500 world universities in international ranking or the ones accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with 3.51 and above scores will be granted place under the category-I institutions. Although AICTE has decided to relax the rules regarding top-rated universities for starting ODL programmes, they will have to present an affidavit undertaking that they will comply with the standards and level set by the Council as well as UGC for offering ODL programmes. Besides this, the conduct of courses in ODL mode in pharmacy, hotel management, applied arts, crafts, architecture, engineering and design will continue to be prohibited for all institutions of higher education.