Students who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree with Honours will soon have the option to pursue one-year postgraduate (PG) programmes through online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes, following revised guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The updated notification, released on July 28, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and replaces an earlier circular issued on July 24.
Under the new guidelines, only universities already authorised to offer two-year PG programmes in online or ODL mode can introduce the corresponding one-year course in the same discipline. Institutions must also secure approval from their Board of Studies, Academic Council and Executive Council before launching the programme.
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The one-year PG course will be open only to graduates holding a four-year Honours degree. Admissions to professional programmes such as MBA, MCA and PGDM will continue to follow the regulations of their respective statutory bodies.
The UGC has directed universities to maintain the same academic standards as regular postgraduate programmes by adhering to the prescribed curriculum, credit framework, assessment methods and the UGC regulations governing online and distance education. The move is aimed at expanding flexible higher education opportunities while ensuring quality and uniform academic standards across institutions.
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