The University Grants Commission(UGC) has clarified that higher educational institutions across India can admit students into approved online courses.

The UGC has, in a public notice, clarified that foreign nationals can enroll into any online programmes offered by a recognized or entitled higher education institution.

This notice comes after a notice issued on April 26 by the UGC disallowing foreign nationals into Open or distance learning courses that varsities offer. The notice, however, reiterates that students can continue to seek admission into online courses.

According to UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) regulations, 2020 and its amendments, students from other countries cannot enroll for distance and open courses here.

The Ministry of external affairs had previously said that student visas cannot be granted to international students funded by franchise educational institutes, off-campus centres, or study centres of open universities offering distance learning programmes.

Following a public notice on April 26, students were in a state of confusion, assuming that the rule extended even for online courses. However, a public notice today has issued clarity on the same.

“Regulations 23 (4) of UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 under heading Learner centric provisions stipulates as under: “(4) Learner’s enrolment (for Online mode): A Learner residing within or outside India may enroll in any programme being offered by a Higher Educational Institution recognized by the Commission for offering programme under Online mode.

It is also informed that UGC public notice F.No. 12-1/2024 (DEB-I) dated 26th April, 2024 is regarding non-enrolment of foreign nationals only in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes. However, foreign/international learners may enroll in any Online programmes offered by a recognized/entitled Higher Educational Institution,” clarified Prof Manish R Joshi, secretary, UGC.

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