Safety check · Distance & online

Distance and online degrees: what is valid

A distance or online degree can be worth exactly as much as a regular one. It can also be worth nothing. The difference lies in three checks that take ten minutes.

By Anuj Arora · Last verified: 9 Nov 2026

Equal to a regular degree, with conditions

In September 2022, UGC confirmed that degrees earned through open and distance learning (ODL) or online mode from a recognised institution are equal to the same degrees earned on campus. That covers further study and jobs, including government jobs that ask for a degree.

Three ways to earn a degree in India Regular mode: attend classes on campus, for every course including professional ones. Open and distance learning: printed or digital study material with some contact classes, for permitted courses only. Online mode: lectures and coursework fully online with proctored exams, for permitted courses only. Degrees in all three modes are treated as equal by UGC when the institution and programme are recognised. Regular on campus Daily classes All courses, including engineering, medicine, law Approved by UGC and the course's council Distance (ODL) study at home Study material plus some contact classes Permitted courses only Programme must be on UGC-DEB list for the session Online study on screen Lectures and coursework online, proctored exams Permitted courses only Programme must be on UGC-DEB list for the session
All three are equal in UGC's eyes when the institution and the programme are recognised.

Three checks before you enrol

  1. Is the course allowed in this mode? Many professional courses are not (see the list below).
  2. Is the university and this exact programme on the UGC-DEB list for your session? The list changes every session; check it on deb.ugc.ac.in.
  3. Are you enrolling with the university itself? UGC has not allowed any university to run its programmes through franchised study centres. A local "centre" taking your fee is a warning sign.

Not allowed by distance or online

UGC does not permit these programmes in ODL or online mode. A degree in them earned this way is not valid.

FieldProgrammes
TechnicalEngineering, architecture, aircraft maintenance
HealthMedical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other paramedical courses
LawLaw
LandAgriculture, horticulture
HospitalityHotel management, catering technology, culinary science, tourism and hospitality management, aviation
Arts and sportVisual arts, sports
ResearchM.Phil and PhD, in every subject

Any course that its own council does not allow by distance or online is also barred.

Two degrees at the same time

Since April 2022, UGC allows students to study two programmes at once: two on campus if class times do not clash, one on campus with one distance or online, or two distance or online. The rule does not apply to PhD.

Who it suits

  • Working people who need a degree for promotion or a government exam.
  • Students far from a good college, or who cannot afford to move.
  • Campus students adding a second degree, such as B.Com with an online B.A. in economics.

Planning to study abroad?

Foreign universities and some private employers judge distance degrees on their own terms. If study abroad is likely, check the target university's rules before you choose the mode.

Save the proof

Screenshot the UGC-DEB listing for your programme and session, with the date, at the time you enrol. Lists change; your proof should not.

Studying while you work?

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Sources

  1. UGC on equivalence of ODL and online degrees (September 2022), under Regulation 22 of its ODL and Online Programmes Regulations
  2. UGC list of programmes prohibited in ODL and online mode
  3. UGC advisory: check the DEB list, no franchising
  4. UGC guidelines on two programmes at once (April 2022) · not applicable to PhD
  5. Official sites: deb.ugc.ac.in, ugc.gov.in