The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new notification standardizing the admission procedure for students enrolling in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online programmes for the academic session 2024-25. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency and ensure that students only enroll in recognized higher educational institutions, thereby protecting their academic and professional futures.
Key Objectives of the UGC’s New Guidelines
The UGC’s decision to standardize admissions aims to address the growing concern of students being admitted into unrecognized ODL/Online programmes, which could compromise their academic qualifications. By implementing this measure, the UGC seeks to ensure that all students receive a quality education from institutions that meet established standards.
New Admission Mechanism
As part of the new guidelines, students intending to enroll in ODL/Online programmes must register on the UGC-DEB (Distance Education Bureau) web portal. This registration process requires students to have an Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) ID, which will be used to generate a unique DEB-ID for each student.
According to the UGC notification, this DEB-ID will be mandatory for every student (except foreign learners) enrolling in recognized ODL/Online programmes starting from the academic session beginning in October 2024. The DEB-ID, once generated, will remain valid for lifelong ODL/Online learning.
Implementation and Compliance
The UGC has urged all higher educational institutions to adopt and implement this new admission mechanism for ODL and Online programmes. Institutions are expected to ensure that all students enrolling in these programmes are properly registered and have a valid DEB-ID, thereby ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
This move by the UGC underscores its commitment to maintaining high educational standards and protecting the interests of students pursuing ODL and Online education.
