The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notice inviting qualified Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to apply for recognition to offer courses via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or Online for the academic year 2023-24. Meanwhile, the academic year for these courses will begin in February 2024 and will last until February 2025. The online application portal will be available from October 10, 2023 to October 31, 2023, according to the notification.

"UGC invites fresh online applications from eligible Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) as per Regulation 3 (A) and Regulation 3 (B) (b) of UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, and its amendments for the recognition of programmes under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode and/or Online mode for the academic year 2023-24, with the academic session beginning in February 2024 and onwards," the official notice reads.

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) that meet the eligibility criteria and have previously obtained UGC accreditation to offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or online programmes will be able to apply for recognition of additional courses in the academic year 2023-2024. Furthermore, higher education institutions should visit the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) website at deb.ugc.ac.in to learn more about the application fee and to stay up to date on any upcoming updates or announcements.