(a) the details of the formalities that are required to be completed before Distance Education Council (DEC) permits University Grants Commission (UGC) listed recognised universities to start conducting distance education programmes;and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to make similar regulation for distance education programme by empowering Central
/State universities to conduct and award both full time as well as distance education programmes?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) As per the information furnished by Distance Education Council (DEC), the university concerned has to submit a
proposal to DEC in the prescribed Performa for offering programmes through the distance mode. The recognition of a
distance mode programme inter-alia requires scrutiny of the proposal at the level of DEC as per its guidelines, visit
of an expert committee consisting of subject experts, nominees of UGC and AICTE etc., submission of the recommendations
of the expert committee to the competent authority of DEC and finally conveying of the decision of the competent authority
to the concerned university in the matter.
(b) The DEC is responsible for the promotion, coordination and determination of standards of open and distance education system offered in flexible mode in the country. The regulations of the DEC are applicable to the Central/State universities as well, if they intend to offer distance education programmes.