UGC Notification: Universities Granted Autonomy from AICTE Approval for Technical Programmes in ODL and Online Modes

In a significant move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notification stating that central, state, and private universities are no longer required to seek prior approval from the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) for certain programmes. The notification outlines that universities can now offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and postgraduate diploma programmes in Management, Computer Application, and Travel and Tourism in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or online modes without the need for prior approval from AICTE.

According to the latest notification, the decision stems from a communication received from AICTE, citing a Supreme Court judgment which ruled that it is not mandatory for state/private universities to obtain AICTE approval for running technical programmes. After careful consideration, the UGC has decided that universities, whether state, central, or private, do not require prior approval/recommendation/ NOC from AICTE for offering programmes in ODL and/or online modes, in accordance with the UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.

However, Deemed to be Universities are required to obtain prior approval/recommendation/ NOC from AICTE for offering such programmes in ODL and/or online mode before submitting their application to the Commission.

Furthermore, the UGC clarified that programmes falling under the domain of AICTE, as mentioned in provision 2(z) of the UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, will remain prohibited until approval/recommendation/ NOC is obtained from AICTE for the consideration of the Commission.

This notification marks a significant step towards promoting autonomy and flexibility for universities in offering technical programmes through ODL and online modes. It streamlines the regulatory process and aligns it with the evolving educational landscape, facilitating greater access to quality education for students across the country.