UGC releases clarification about technical distance courses

In a recent notice, UGC has made it clear that universities and institutes in India that want to offer distance learning programmes in the field of technology will no longer have to get a prior permission from AICTE. But universities that have a deemed to be status will still need permission from AICTE. Universities that have an autonomous status will simply have to comply with the guidelines stated by UGC to avoid any future problems. For the longest time, there has been a confusion among students and institutes in India related to offering ODL programmes in the field of technology and science. Many people believe that this is not a practical approach to teaching subjects that requires a profound level of conceptual understanding. However, with proper classes and a well-defined curriculum, a person can very much learn all these courses through distance mode as well.