University Grants Commission (University Grants Commission)UGC) has issued a new notification allowing eligible higher education institutions to offer one-year postgraduate (PG) courses through open distance learning (ODL) and/or online mode. According to the notification, the move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which allows students who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree with honors to pursue a one-year postgraduate course subject to compliance with required academic rules and UGC regulations.The UGC said that higher education institutions that have been accredited to offer a two-year postgraduate course in a specific subject through ODL or online mode can also launch a one-year postgraduate course in the same subject. However, institutions must meet all the conditions specified in NEP 2020 and applicable UGC regulations.Approval of the project must be obtained from the academic authority of the institution, including the Board of Study (BoS), Academic Council, Executive Committee or other equivalent body. These courses must also follow the UGC Postgraduate Courses Curriculum and Credit Hours Framework and comply with the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Courses and Online Courses) Regulations 2020 and any amendments issued from time to time.Key points:
One-year postgraduate course The provisions of NEP 2020 and all applicable UGC regulations must be followed.- Only institutions that have been approved to offer corresponding two-year postgraduate courses through ODL or online mode can introduce one-year courses.
- Open only to students who have successfully completed a four-year bachelor’s degree and meet specified eligibility conditions.
- For professional courses such as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), admission rules will continue to follow the eligibility criteria laid down by the respective regulatory agencies.
- Courses, learning resources, assessment systems, credit framework and all other academic requirements must comply with relevant UGC regulations and statutory norms.
Read the official notice here
