Page 536 - Compendium of UGC Regulations 1957-2023

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

(2) A Higher Educational Institution may allow up to forty per cent. of the total courses
being offered in a particular programme in a semester through the Online Learning
courses/ Massive Open Online Courses.
13. Programme Launching Process for Higher Educational Institution.─

(A) Common Provisions for Open and Distance Learning Mode and Online Mode:
(1) The proposed programmes shall be designed for conventional learners, as well
as for working professionals and other individuals aspiring to acquire knowledge
and associated academic credentials through Open and Distance Learning Mode
and/or Online mode.
(2) Minimum and Maximum Duration of Programme:
(i) The minimum duration for completion and award of degrees at the
undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Open and Distance Learning
mode and Online mode shall be in accordance with the UGC notification
of specification of degrees, 2014;
(ii) The minimum duration for completion and award of post graduate diploma
shall be two years;
(iii) The maximum duration for completion and award of degree at the
undergraduate and postgraduate levels or post graduate diploma in
Open and Distance Learning mode and Online mode shall be double the
minimum duration of the respective programmes as per items (i) and (ii).
(3) Before offering any programme, the Higher Educational Institution shall prepare
a Programme Project Report as per Annexure-V for each programme which shall
include the following, namely:-
(i) information on relevance of programme to the Institution‘s mission and
goals, objectives of the programme, nature of prospective target group of
learners, and appropriateness of Open and Distance Learning mode and/
or Online mode for acquiring specific competencies or skills;
(ii) instructional design which shall include duration of programme(s),
faculty and support staff requirements, instructional delivery mechanisms,
identification of media – print, audio or video, online, computer aided, and
learner support service systems;
(iii) procedure for admissions, curriculum transaction and evaluation;
(iv) details of laboratory support required for the programme(s), if any;
(v) library Resources;
(vi) cost estimate of the programme and the provisions there for, indicating the
amount assigned for programme development, delivery and maintenance;
(vii) quality assurance mechanism and expected programme outcomes;
(viii) curriculum and detailed syllabi of the programme(s); and
(ix) guidelines on launching programme(s) design, development and any such
matters as specified by the Commission and other regulatory bodies which
shall be followed by the Higher Educational Institutions.
(4) A Higher Educational Institution other than an Open Universities shall offer
programmes in Open and Distance Learning mode and/or Online mode with
total credits and minimum duration for the programmes kept same as that of
corresponding programmes in conventional mode.

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University Grants Commission