Institutes To Take Approval From AICTE For Offering Programmes Under ODL Or Online Mode

University Grant Commission (UGC) directed Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to get approval or recommendations from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for offering the UG programmes in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or Online mode.

In this regard, from academic year 2024-25, academic session July-August, 2024, AICTE will regulate HEIs offering BBA, BMS and BCA courses. The objective behind is to bring uniform quality and academic standards across the Management and Computer Applications programme, as similar to the Post Graduate Courses or Programmes including MCA and MBA.

HEIs are instructed to follow the directives under UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, while submitting an application to the Commission. Those HEIs intending to offer BCA, BBA and BMS programmes from academic session July-August, 2024 shall apply to AICTE for approval or recommendations to offer these programmes in ODL or Online mode. The application shall be submitted to UGC after considering the recommendation or approval.

HEIs already offering the given courses shall obtain approval or recommendation from AICTE for the continuation of these programmes for the academic year 2024-25, academic session July-August, 2024 and onwards.

It should be noted that AICTE is the highest-level advisory body at the national level, tasked with surveying the facilities available for technical education and advancing coordinated, integrated national growth. Significant modifications to the revised Approval Process Handbook (APH) for 2024–2027 have been notified by AICTE earlier. AICTE had never before released a three-year approved handbook in place of its customary one-year handbook.