The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released guidelines for students to stay cautious before enrolling in programmes offered under the online distance learning (ODL) and online learning (OL) modes.

Students are asked to confirm the recognition status of the higher education institution for offering ODL and online education for the session opted for admission on UGC DEB website, check the details on the university website, take note of prohibited programmes and prohibition of franchising arrangements and ensure that all activities are being conducted within Territorial Jurisdiction for ODL programmes.

Public notices in respect of the HEls are also available on the UGC-DEB website at deb.ugc.ac.in, the Commission added saying that the students must see the same, before taking admissions.

Programmes in certain disciplines including their allied domains are prohibited from being offered under ODL and online modes. These include engineering, medical, physiotherapy, pharmacy, nursing, law, agriculture, hotel management, visual arts and sports and aviation. MPhil and PhD programmes in all disciplines through the open and distance learning and online modes are also prohibited.