The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the submission deadline for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) seeking recognition to offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Programmes for the academic year 2025–26. As per the latest public notice, the deadline—initially set for November 10, 2025—has now been extended to November 17, 2025. The announcement was made after several universities and colleges requested additional time to complete their documentation and submissions.
Extension Under UGC Regulations 2020
According to UGC, the extension applies to all HEIs filing applications for academic sessions beginning February 2026 and onwards under the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, including subsequent amendments. This update follows UGC’s earlier circular dated October 21, 2025, which outlined the application process for institutions seeking recognition or renewal for ODL and online offerings.
Reason Behind the Extension
The Commission stated that multiple institutions reached out for additional time to finalize their proposals and upload supporting documents through the UGC-DEB online portal. The one-week extension is intended to ensure wider participation and maintain compliance quality. UGC reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the expansion of distance and online education across India while upholding academic standards.
Official Notification and Website
Institutions have been advised to regularly visit the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) website — https://deb.ugc.ac.in/ — for further notifications, clarifications, or updates related to the ODL and online programme approval process. The notice emphasized that no further extension is expected beyond November 17, 2025, and that applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered for the upcoming academic session.
Key Highlights:
- UGC extends ODL & Online Programme application deadline to November 17, 2025
- Applies to HEIs under the UGC Regulations, 2020
- Original deadline was November 10, 2025
- Applicable for academic sessions beginning February 2026 and beyond
- HEIs must apply via deb.ugc.ac.in
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