The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh circular allowing eligible higher education institutions to offer one-year postgraduate (PG) programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or online mode. According to the circular, the move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which allows students who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree with honours to pursue a one-year postgraduate programme, subject to the required academic rules and UGC regulations.The UGC said that higher education institutions already recognised to offer two-year postgraduate programmes through ODL or online mode in a particular subject can also introduce a one-year postgraduate programme in the same discipline. However, institutions must meet all the conditions laid down under NEP 2020 and the applicable UGC regulations.The approval of the programme must be taken from the institution’s competent academic authorities, including the Board of Studies (BoS), Academic Council, Executive Council, or other equivalent bodies. The courses must also follow the UGC Curriculum and Credit Framework for Postgraduate Programmes and comply with the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, along with any amendments issued from time to time.Key points:
One-year postgraduate programmes must follow the provisions of NEP 2020 and all applicable UGC regulations.- Only institutions already approved to offer the corresponding two-year postgraduate programme through ODL or online mode can introduce the one-year course.
- Admission will be open only to students who have successfully completed a four-year bachelor’s degree with honours and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- For professional courses such as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), admission rules will continue to follow the eligibility criteria set by the respective regulatory bodies.
- The curriculum, learning resources, assessment system, credit framework and all other academic requirements must comply with the relevant UGC regulations and statutory norms.
Read the official notice here.
