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List of approved Distance Education universities in India
List of approved distance education universities in India - While life can be too demanding for some of us, others would take up jobs at life’s early stages, leaving some of the educational aspirations at bay. On the other hand, a few among us may have been stuck at a particular position or role at our workplaces for a long time due to our low ranking in some specific professional parameters. There are myriads among us whose circumstances do not leave them at liberty to pursue what they aspire to, and securing a degree or diploma in no exception. There may be some who may also not have the liberty like their peers to be stationed at a particular place and attend regular classes.
However, as they say, “Better late than never”, you can always begin, the moment you realize that you have to accomplish what you left without even trying long back. The answer to your disquiet is getting a correspondence certificate/diploma/degree.
But though you may follow your inner calling, it does not simply end there (as a fairy tale). You may end up landing into an open programme wherein the diploma/degree does not hold any validity. This means your degree may not be recognized. So, what is needed in such a case – knowing the validity of the degree/diploma of the college/university/institute beforehand, which would save you from future regrets. University Grants Commission (UGC) publishes a list of approved/recognised institutes every year which offer distance/open learning programmes. For 2019-20 too, the UGC has published a list of approved universities to offer open or distance learning programmes. Candidates can check the AICTE approved distance education college list on the UGC website. Check the list of UGC recognised universities which offer educational programmes in distance learning mode and zero upon your choice. Some of the open universities in India approved by UGC are Nalanda Open University, Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, Karnataka State Open University and many others.
Check list of approved distance education universities in India for 2019-20 below - UGC approved University List
Candidates looking for distance education university in India approved by UGC are advised to go through the table below. This table shows a comprehensive list of UGC approved distance education universities. This list of distance education universities in india will definitely help the candidates choose the ideal institute for their distant education plan. Candidates are advised to go through the entire UGC approved university list for distance education to get a better understanding.
S.No. | State | Name/Category of HEI | Period of Recognition | Number of recognised Programmes | Names of recognised Programmes |
1 | ANDHRA PRADESH | SRI KRISHNADEVARAYA UNIVERSITY, ANANTHAPUR (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 16 | 1. BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (ADDITIONAL METHODOLOGY) 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS 3. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 4. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 5. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (COMPUTER) 6. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 7. MASTER OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 8. MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 9. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) 10.MASTER OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 11.MASTER OF ARTS (RURAL DEVELOPMENT) 12.MASTER OF ARTS (SOCIOLOGY) 13.MASTER OF ARTS (TELUGU) 14.MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 15.MASTER OF COMMERCE 16.MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS |
2 | Bihar | BABASAHEB BHIMRAO AMBEDKAR BIHAR UNIVERSITY, MUZZAFFARPUR (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 3 | 1. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 2. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 3. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES |
3 | Bihar | MAGADH UNIVERSITY, GAYA (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 8 | 1. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 2. MASTER OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 3. MASTER OF ARTS (HINDI) 4. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) 5. MASTER OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 6. MASTER OF ARTS (PSYCHOLOGY) 7. MASTER OF ARTS (SOCIOLOGY) 8. MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES |
4 | Bihar | PATNA UNIVERSITY, PATNA (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 15 | 1. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS* 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY) 3. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (ECONOMICS) 4. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (ENGLISH) 5. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (GEOGRAPHY) 6. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (HINDI) 7. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (HISTORY) 8. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (PHILOSOPHY) 9. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 10.BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (PSYCHOLOGY) 11.BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (SOCIOLOGY) 12.BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (STATISTICS) 13.BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) (URDU) 14.BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (HONOURS) (ACCOUNTS) 15.BACHELOR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES |
5 | CHHATTISGARH | MATS UNIVERSITY, RAIPUR (PRIVATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 18 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS 2. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 3. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (COMPUTER SCIENCE) 4. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 5. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 6. MASTER OF ARTS (EDUCATION) 7. MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 8. MASTER OF ARTS (HINDI) 9. MASTER OF COMMERCE 10. MASTER OF SCIENCE (COMPUTER SCIENCE) 11. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 12. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 13. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BIOLOGY) 14. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (MATHEMATICS) 15. MASTER OF SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY) 16. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MATHEMATICS) 17. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCES 18. MASTER OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCES |
6 | Delhi | JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA, DELHI (CENTRAL UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 2 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS 2. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION |
7 | MAHARASHTRA | UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI, MUMBAI (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 15 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS 2. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 3. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) 4. MASTER OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 5. MASTER OF ARTS (EDUCATION) 6. MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 7. MASTER OF ARTS (HINDI) 8. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) 9. MASTER OF ARTS (MARATHI) 10. MASTER OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 11. MASTER OF ARTS (SOCIOLOGY) 12. MASTER OF COMMERCE 13. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 14. MASTER OF SCIENCE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) 15. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MATHEMATICS) |
8 | Rajasthan | (PRIVATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 10 | 1. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS 3. BACHELOR OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 4. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 5. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 6. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 7. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) 8. MASTER OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 9. MASTER OF COMMERCE 10. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS |
9 | Rajasthan | VARDHMAN MAHAVEER OPEN UNIVERSITY, KOTA (STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 5 | 1. MASTER OF SCIENCE (BOTANY) 2. MASTER OF SCIENCE (ZOOLOGY) 3. MASTER OF SCIENCE (PHYSICS) 4. MASTER OF SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY) 5. MASTER OF SCIENCE (GEOGRAPHY) |
10 | Tamil Nadu | MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY, MADURAI (STATE UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 22 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 3. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HISTORY) 4. BACHELOR OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 5. BACHELOR OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 6. BACHELOR OF ARTS (PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION) 7. BACHELOR OF ARTS (SOCIOLOGY) 8. BACHELOR OF ARTS (TAMIL) 9. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 10. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 11. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 12. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY INFORMATION SCIENCES 13. MASTER OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 14. MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 15. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) 16. MASTER OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 17. MASTER OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) 18. MASTER OF ARTS (TOURISM MANAGEMENT) 19. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 20. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 21. MASTER OF COMMERCE 22. MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES |
11 | Tamil Nadu | UNIVERSITY, TIRUNELVELI (State University) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 30 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS (CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE ADMINISTRATION) 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS (CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE ADMINISTRATION) (ECONOMICS) 3. BACHELOR OF ARTS (English) 4. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HISTORY) (TAMIL MEDIUM) 5. 5. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HISTORY) (ENGLISH MEDIUM) 6. BACHELOR OF ARTS (TAMIL) 7. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 8. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (TAMIL MEDIUM)* 9. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (ENGLISH MEDIUM)* 10. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 11. BACHELOR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 12. BACHELOR OF ARTS (TAMIL LITERATURE)* 13. MASTER OF ARTS (MASS COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM) 14. MASTER OF ARTS (CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE) 15. MASTER OF ARTS (ECONOMICS) 16. MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH) 17. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) (TAMIL MEDIUM) 18. MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) (ENGLISH MEDIUM) 19. MASTER OF ARTS (SOCIOLOGY) 20. MASTER OF ARTS (TAMIL) 21. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (FINANCE) 22. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (GENERAL) 23. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (HUMAN RESOURCES) 24. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MARKETING) 25. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (PRODUCTION) 26. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SYSTEM) 27. MASTER OF COMMERCE (TAMIL MEDIUM) 28. MASTER OF COMMERCE (ENGLISH MEDIUM) 29. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 30. MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES |
12 | Uttar Pradesh | Amity University, Noida (Private University) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 12 | 1. BACHELOR OF ARTS 2. BACHELOR OF ARTS (TOURISM ADMINISTRATION) 3. BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 4. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) 5. BACHELOR OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 6. MASTER OF ARTS (JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION) 7. BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 8. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 9. MASTER OF COMMERCE (FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT) 10. MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 11. MASTER OF SCIENCE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) 12. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION |
13 | UTTARAK HAND | NAINITAL (STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 8 | 1. MASTER OF SCIENCE (BOTANY) 2. MASTER OF SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY) 3. MASTER OF SCIENCE (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE) 4. MASTER OF SCIENCE (GEOGRAPHY) 5. MASTER OF ARTS (GEOGRAPHY) 6. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MATHEMATICS) 7. MASTER OF SCIENCE (PHYSICS) 8. MASTER OF SCIENCE (ZOOLOGY) |
14 | UTTAR PRADESH | U.P. RAJARSHI TANDON OPEN UNIVERSITY, ALLAHABAD (STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY) | 2019-2020 Academic session beginning July 2019 and Jan 2020 only | 4 | 1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 2. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HUMAN NUTRITION) 3. MASTER OF ARTS (HOME SCIENCE) 4. MASTER OF SCIENCE (FOOD & NUTRITION) |
Advantages Of Distance Education
Distance education or online learning, offers several distinct advantages that have made it increasingly popular in recent years. Here are a few advantages of distant education that candidates need to consider.
- Flexibility: Distant education allows students to create personalized schedules, accommodating work, family, or other commitments. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for adult learners seeking to further their education without disrupting their lives.
- Accessibility: It breaks down geographical barriers, enabling access to quality education regardless of a student's location. This is especially advantageous for those in remote areas or individuals with physical disabilities.
- Cost-Efficiency: Distance education often reduces costs associated with commuting, housing, and physical textbooks. Many online resources are readily available, reducing the financial burden on students.
- Diverse Learning Opportunities: It offers a wide range of courses and programmes, allowing students to choose from a diverse array of subjects and specializations, including those not available locally.
- Self-Paced Learning: Students can progress at their own pace, revisiting materials as needed, which can enhance comprehension and retention.
- Technology Integration: Distance education leverages technology for interactive learning experiences, fostering digital literacy and preparing students for a tech-driven job market.
- Broadened Networks: Online discussions and collaborations enable students to interact with peers from various backgrounds and locations, fostering diverse perspectives and networking opportunities.
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Download NowWhile distant education presents these advantages, it also requires self-discipline, time management, and effective communication skills to succeed.
Disadvantages Of Distance Education
Despite its many advantages, distance education is not without its drawbacks. Candidates are advised to consider this downsides of distant education before opting for one.
- Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction: One of the primary disadvantages is the absence of physical classroom interaction. This can lead to a sense of isolation and limit opportunities for immediate clarification of doubts.
- Self-Motivation: Distance education requires high levels of self-discipline and motivation. Students must proactively manage their time and stay on top of coursework, which can be challenging for some.
- Limited Hands-On Experience: Certain fields, such as laboratory-based sciences or hands-on vocational training, are challenging to teach effectively in a distant learning format, limiting practical experience.
- Technical Issues: Technical glitches or poor internet connectivity can disrupt online classes, causing frustration and hampering the learning process.
- Reduced Social Interaction: Distance learners miss out on the social aspects of traditional education, like in-person networking, group projects, and extracurricular activities.
- Less Personalized Attention: Instructors may have limited availability for one-on-one interactions with distant students, making it harder to address individual concerns or provide tailored guidance.
- Assessment Challenges: Ensuring the integrity of assessments and preventing cheating in an online environment can be more challenging than in traditional classrooms.
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While distance education offers many benefits, individuals considering this mode of learning should weigh these disadvantages and assess whether it aligns with their learning preferences and career goals.
Check List of Approved Distance Education Universities for 2019, 2018 and 2017:
Date | Downloadable PDF |
As on May 8, 2019 | |
October 3, 2018 | |
October 26, 2017 |
Top Distance Education Universities In India
India has a number of top-notch universities offering distance education programmes, catering to the diverse educational needs of students across the country. Here are a few renowned institutions:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU): IGNOU is the largest and most well-known open university in India, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines.
- Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL): SCDL is recognized for its quality online education, offering programmes in management, IT, and other fields.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU): This Telangana-based institution is a pioneer in open and distance education, offering a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- Annamalai University: Located in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai University offers distance education in arts, science, commerce, and many others.
- Sikkim Manipal University (SMU-DE): Known for its technology-driven distance education, SMU-DE provides a wide array of programmes in collaboration with industry experts.
- University of Mumbai - Institute of Distance and Open Learning (Mumbai University IDOL): A respected institution offering distance education programmes, especially in arts, science, and commerce.
- Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University: Known for its extensive range of courses and student support services. These universities have adapted to the changing educational landscape, providing quality distance education to millions of students across India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I check if my university is UGC approved?
A:
Candidates can check the approval status of any university by visiting the official website of UGC - ugc.gov.in.
Q: Is distance education degree approved by UGC?
A:
Yes, but not every distance education programme follows UGC guidelines. Candidates are advised to check the approval of the concerned institution on the website of UGC.
Q: Which Open University is approved by UGC?
A:
Universities such as Indira Gandhi National Open University, Nalanda Open University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University and Uttarakhand Open University are approved by the University Grant Commission.
Q: Which is India's No 1 distance education university?
A:
Founded in 1985, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is considered to be the best distance education university in India.
Q: Which institutes, colleges, universities are approved by UGC?
A:
All central, state, private, public, deemed universities/institutes and colleges are approved by UGC.
Q: How many universities are approved by UGC?
A:
As per the latest data released by UGC on March 31, 2019, 399 state universities, 126 deemed to be universities, 48 central universities and 334 private universities have been approved by UGC.
Q: How do I know that my college is UGC approved?
A:
Every year, UGC published the list of approved universities. You can visit the UGC website and find the name of your college in the newly approved list and the old list.
Q: What if a college is not UGC approved?
A:
If any college is not recognised by UGC, this means that any programme offered by the college is not valid. In other words, the college is fake.
Q: Where can I find the list of approved institutes?
A:
You can find it on the official website of UGC.
Q: How do I know about the universities which are fake?
A:
UGC separately comes out with a list of names of the universities which are fake.
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