UGC Extends Deadline for Open and Distance Learning and Online Course Admissions to October 15, 2025

New Delhi, August 24, 2025 – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced an extension of the admission deadline for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes for the July–August 2025 academic session. The new deadline is now set for October 15, 2025, providing students an additional month beyond the original cut-off of September 15, 2025.

Reason for Extension

The decision follows multiple requests from higher education institutions (HEIs) across India seeking more time to manage the increasing volume of applications. The extension aims to facilitate broader participation, particularly for students in rural and semi-urban areas where awareness of deadlines may be limited.

Compliance with UGC Regulations

The UGC has emphasized the importance of adhering to the revised timeline and ensuring compliance with all regulations outlined in the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020. Students are strongly advised to verify the recognition status of their chosen institutions and programmes on the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) portal at https://deb.ugc.ac.in/ before enrolling.

Mandatory DEB-ID Enrollment

In a related development, the UGC has introduced a mandatory enrollment process requiring students to generate a unique DEB-ID using their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID on the UGC-DEB web portal. This requirement, effective from the 2024-25 academic year, enhances transparency and ensures enrollment in only UGC-approved programmes. The DEB-ID remains valid for a student’s lifetime for ODL and online learning, except for foreign learners.

Restrictions on Certain Programmes

The UGC has reiterated its ban on certain healthcare and allied discipline programmes, such as Psychology, Microbiology, and Clinical Nutrition, through ODL and online modes starting from the 2025-26 academic session. This decision, aligned with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, aims to ensure that such courses are delivered through in-person education to maintain academic integrity.

Advisory on Unrecognized Collaborations

The UGC also issued a public advisory warning against unrecognized collaborations with foreign educational providers, stating that degrees or diplomas obtained through such arrangements will not be valid in India. Students are urged to check the UGC-DEB portal for the list of recognized HEIs and to generate their DEB-ID via ABC or DigiLocker for a seamless and legitimate enrollment process.

Commitment to Accessible Education

This extension reflects the UGC’s commitment to promoting accessible yet high-quality digital education while safeguarding students from unapproved institutions. With India’s growing digital infrastructure, the move is expected to support the increasing demand for flexible learning options, ensuring students can balance education with other commitments.