Question : Degree Granted by Open Universities

(a) whether a graduation, a Master, Ph. D or M.Phil. degree which is granted by an open university either through distance mode of education programme or through any informal education programme is equivalent to such degrees granted to a candidate by Formal Conventional Recognised Universities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether there is a need to improve the credibility of the degree provided by open universities in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the scheme chalked out by the Government to improve the credibility of open universities?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(a) to (c): Sir The University Grants Commission (UGC) from time to time issues Letters/Circulars/Public Notices regarding equivalence of degrees awarded by Open & Distance Learning (ODL) universities at par with conventional universities which are available on UGC’s website www.ugc.ac.in/deb. Accordingly, all degrees granted by open universities in line with the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Regulation 2017) are recognised degrees.

(d) & (e): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017 with a view to maintain the quality and standards in Open and Distance Learning mode of education in the Open Universities. Further, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has also formulated a Quality Assurance Framework for Open Universities. The “Manual for Self-Study Report for Open Universities” is available on NAAC’s website http://www.naac.gov.in/images/docs/manuals/ODL-Manual-13 06 2019.pdf. This provides the method for NAAC assessment of open universities. Government has also issued a gazette notification in 2018 wherein it has brought out that degrees for open universities are recognized for employment as long as they are within the ambit of regulators like UGC/AICTE wherever necessary. (copy attached)
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