Courses banned by UGC to be offered in distance learning mode
UGC bans Medical, Engineering, Agriculture and related Courses through Distance Mode – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited the universities from carrying a list of some courses in distance mode. As per the latest notification from UGC, the commission has asked the universities not to award degrees in courses that come under ‘Professional’ category in distance learning mode. However, the rule was placed earlier as well where many a number of courses were put under professional courses. Mainly, the programmes that require practical or laboratory courses as an academic curriculum are professional programs. As per the new rules, the agriculture and related courses will also be included in the list and higher educational institutes (HEIs) can’t grant the degree in correspondence mode.
See: Engineering Entrance Exams
The list of courses for which distance learning mode will not be available includes:-
• Engineering
• Medicine
• Dental
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Architecture
• Physiotherapy
• Agriculture and related courses
Some of the leading HEIs in the country which currently avails the facility of distance learning mode are IGNOU, Nalanda Open University, YCMOU, etc. But, now these institutes have to shut their distance learning professional courses.
See: Distance Education Admissions
Moreover, the commission has also restricted the time period for universities for open mode distance learning. It has been urged to begin the academic session in January and second by July. Also, HEIs are asked to upload the information regarding the same within 10 days from the last date of admission in each session.
See: Agriculture Career Scope, Eligibility and Job Prospects