University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a new circular allowing eligible higher education institutions to offer one-year postgraduate (PG) programs through open and distance learning (ODL) and/or online. According to the circular, the move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which allows students who have completed four years of high school with honors to pursue a one-year postgraduate program, subject to the required academic standards and UGC regulations.The UGC said that institutions of higher education already recognized for offering two-year postgraduate programs through ODL or online mode in a particular subject may also introduce a one-year postgraduate program in the same discipline. However, the entities must comply with all the conditions established by the NEP 2020 and the applicable UGC regulations.Approval of the program must be sought from the competent academic authorities of the institution, including the Board of Studies (BoS), the Academic Council, the Executive Council or other equivalent bodies. The courses must also follow the UGC Credit and Curriculum Framework for Post Graduate Programs and comply with the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programs and Online Programs) Regulations 2020 along with amendments issued from time to time.Key points:
One-year postgraduate programs must follow the provisions of NEP 2020 and all applicable UGC regulations.- Only institutions already approved to offer the corresponding two-year postgraduate program through the ODL or online mode can introduce the one-year course.
- Admission will only be open to students who have successfully completed a four-year Honors Baccalaureate degree and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- For professional courses such as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), the admission rules will continue to follow the eligibility criteria set by the respective regulatory bodies.
- The syllabus, learning resources, assessment system, credit framework and all other academic requirements must comply with UGC regulations and relevant statutory rules.
Read the official notice here