Thursday, May 2

AICTE Approval Not Required To Offer Technical Programmes Under ODL, Online Mode: UGC

Edited by Uzma Parveen
AICTE Approval Not Required To Offer Technical Programmes Under ODL/Online Mode: UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) in a public notice, announced that central, state, and private universities will no longer need All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) approval along with their application to UGC to offer technical programs under UG, PG, and PG diploma in open distance learning or online mode.

In its 578th meeting, the regulatory body decided after due deliberation on a letter received from AICTE regarding approval or recommendations to state and private universities providing professional programs in technical and management education through open and distance learning (ODL/OL) mode.

Under the UGC regulations, 2020 for the ODL/online programs the higher educational institutions (HEIs) shall have prior approval or recommendation from the respective statutory or regulatory authority or council to offer the programs in ODL or Online mode.

Notably, in 2013, the Supreme Court stated that the role of AICTE is advisory and colleges affiliated with various universities are not required to take its approval for running MBA and MCA courses. Similarly, in Bharathidasan University and Another Vs. All India Council for Technical Education and Others, the Supreme Court ordered that the State/Private Universities don’t need to take AICTE approval to run Technical programs.

So Commission has also decided as per UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations 2020 AICTE approval shall not be required by the universities to offer UG, PG, and diplomas in Management, Computer Application, and Travel and Tourism in ODL or online mode. However, as per the notification, Deemed to be universities shall continue to obtain prior approval or no objection certification of AICTE to offer such programs in ODL or online mode.