UGC orders schools and universities to cease providing healthcare and related courses in online and ODL formats
Under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed HEI to stop the offer of healthcare and programs in the related fields through online or open and distance learning (ODL), which starts from the July -Agat 2025 academic year.
According to the recommendations of the 24th Distance Education Bureau Working Group Meeting, which was held on April 22, 2025, the decision was made on 23 July 2025 during the 592nd meeting of UGC. Psychology, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietatics are among those specials. The regulation states that when 2025-2026 starts from the academic year, no school or university will be allowed to present these programs online or through ODL. The UGC will cancel recognition for institutions that have already been allowed to conduct these programs.
Only healthcare-related expertise will be abolished in programs that provide many expertise, such as English, Hindi, Punjabi, Economics, History, Mathematics, Public Administration, Philosophy, political science, statistics, human rights and duties, duties, Sanskrit, Psychology, Geography, Geography, Sociology, or Bachelor of Arts degrees with the study of women. Additionally, the UGC has instructed Hei to stop accepting students in these programs starting in July -August 2025 academic year. All the parties involved have been advised to follow the decision.
A new public advice was earlier warned by higher education authorities against creating unpublished partnership with students and foreign educational providers. The University Grants Commission (UGC) confirmed that any degree or diploma given under such circumstances would be considered unfamiliar by the Commission and would be considered invalid in India.
According to UGC rules, 2022 and 2023 framework joint degrees, dual degrees, and installation of foreign complexes in India requires special approval for all foreign cooperation.
Conflicts about the unauthorized partnership between Indian Hei and international institutions were brought to the earlier notice on December 12, 2023, which was expanded by the most recent explanation. The UGC reported that many universities and EdTech platforms still provide online or joint degrees and diplomas programs with foreign organizations that are not recognized by it despite the previous warnings.
