Distance Education Degree Equivalent to Regular Degree

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has highlighted that degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded for programmes conducted by the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions recognised by erstwhile Distance Education Council (DEC) be treated equivalent to corresponding awards of traditional universities and institutions of the country.

In a notice issued recently, UGC has highlighted that the ODL education system of the country was contributing to the expansion of higher education and to achieve the target of Gross-Enrollment Ratio (GER) without compromising with the quality.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, in Decemeber last year, had vested regulatory functions of DEC with UGC, by dissolving the former. UGC is in the process of framing new regulations for distance education.

"Non-recognition and non-equivalence of degrees of ODL institutions for the purpose of promotion, employment and pursuing higher education may prove a deterrent for people and will defeat the purpose of open and distance education," the notification further read.

In May 2004, UGC had issued a circular stating that degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded by open universities be treated equivalent to corresponding awards of traditional universities in the country.

The Commission through the letter issued on July 28, 1993, laid the foundation for mobility of students from open universities to traditional universities and institutions for recognition of degrees and diplomas as well as transfer of credit for courses successfully completed by students from the types of universities.