Page 521 - Compendium of UGC Regulations 1957-2023

Regulations pertaining to Credits, Academic Programmes and Award of Degrees:

University Grants Commission
(Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes)
Regulations, 2020.

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 4th September, 2020

No. F. 1-1/2020(DEB-I).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of
section 26 read with clause (j) of section 12 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956
(3 of 1956) and in supersession of the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance
Learning) Regulations, 2017 and University Grants Commission (Online Courses or
Programmes) Regulations, 2018 except as respect of things done or omitted to be done before
such supersession, the University Grants Commission with the previous approval of the Central
Government hereby makes the following regulations, namely:-
PART I

PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, application and commencement.

(1) These regulations may be called the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance
Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.

(2) These regulations lay down the minimum standards of instruction for the grant of
degrees at the undergraduate and post graduate levels and grant of post graduate
diploma, through Open and Distance Learning mode and Online mode and shall be in
addition to and not in derogation of any other regulations, Notifications, Guidelines or
Instructions issued by the Commission.
(3) These regulations shall apply to a University referred to under clause (f) of section 2 of
the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956), an Institution Deemed to be
University under section 3 of the said Act:
Provided that the University Grants Commission may, by order, exempt a Higher
Educational Institution or Higher Educational Institutions from the application of these
regulations.
(4) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,-
a. Academic Council or Senate‖ means the body empowered to take decisions regarding all
academic matters in a Higher Educational Institution including the decision permitting
to offer Open and Distance Learning Programmes and/or Online Programmes in
compliance to these regulations;
b. Academic session‖ means duration of twelve months beginning either in January to
February or in the month of July to August, as the case may be, of every calendar year;
c. Act‖ means the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956);
d. Centre for Internal Quality Assurance‖ (CIQA) means a Centre established by a Higher
Educational Institution for ensuring the quality of programmes being offered in Open
and Distance Learning mode and Online mode, as specified in Annexure-I;
e. Commission‖ means the University Grants Commission established under the University
Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956);
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UGC Regulations