Education news
UGC Guidelines 2026: One-Year PG Courses Allowed in Online and Distance Modes
· Source: Amar Ujala
The University Grants Commission has permitted eligible higher education institutions to launch one-year postgraduate programmes through Open and Distance Learning and online modes. Students who have finished a four-year honours undergraduate degree will be eligible for admission under NEP 2020.
Approval for One-Year PG Programmes
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given the green signal to eligible higher education institutions to start one-year postgraduate (PG) programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online modes. According to the UGC, this step has been taken in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
Students who have completed a four-year honours undergraduate degree can take admission into the one-year PG programme, provided they meet the prescribed academic criteria and UGC regulations.
Conditions for Institutions to Start the Course
The UGC has set key conditions for higher education institutions planning to offer this one-year programme:
- Institutions that already have permission to run a two-year online postgraduate programme in a specific subject can start a one-year PG programme in that same subject.
- Institutions must follow the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the rules established by the UGC.
- Prior approval must be secured from competent academic bodies such as the Board of Studies (BoS), Academic Council, Executive Council, or other relevant authorities before launching the course.
- The curriculum must be prepared according to the UGC's PG curriculum and credit framework.
- Institutions must strictly follow UGC regulations related to online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
Questions
Who is eligible to enroll in the one-year PG programme?
Students who have completed a four-year honours undergraduate degree are eligible to take admission, subject to prescribed academic norms and UGC rules.
Through which modes can institutions offer the one-year PG course?
Eligible higher education institutions can offer the one-year PG course through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online modes.
Which institutions are permitted to introduce the one-year PG programme?
Institutions that currently hold permission to run a two-year online postgraduate programme in a subject are permitted to offer the one-year PG programme in that same subject.
What approvals are required before an institution can launch the course?
Institutions must obtain approval from their competent academic bodies, such as the Board of Studies (BoS), Academic Council, Executive Council, or other related bodies.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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