What is the last date to apply for admission to online programmes in India?

Currently, admission is open for July-August 2026 session across UGC-approved colleges in India. The last date for admission to online programmes for academic session August 2026 will be as per the UGC notification.

Who should do online programmes?

Working professionals, graduates, and remote learners can enrol in online programmes.

What are the best online degree courses in 2026?

The best online degrees at the undergraduate level are Online BBA, Online BSc, Online BA, Online BCA, and Online B.Com. At the PG level, courses include Online MBA, Online MCA, Online MA, Online MSc, and Online M.Com.

How to choose the right online programmes?

Choosing the right online programmes and colleges requires a thoughtful consideration of institutes’ recognition and accreditation, curriculum design and structure, course outcomes, and networking opportunities.

How to apply for online programmes?

Prospective students must visit the official website of their chosen institution, fill in and submit the application form, along with supporting documents, and pay the requisite application fee.

Distance/Online Degree Admission 2026: Last Date, UGC Guidelines, Top Colleges

Edited By Vivek Kumar | Updated on Jun 11, 2026 - 11:58 a.m. IST

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Applications Open

Online degree admissions 2026 are already open for various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes. The University Grants Commission (UGC) – Distance Education Bureau (DEB) has announced the last date of admission to Online and distance programmes for the academic session beginning February, 2026.

UGC DEB is the regulatory body that administers the admissions process, approval and the overall things for the open and distance learning (ODL) and online programmes . The last date to apply for admission to distance and online programmes is March 30, 2026. The UGC advises students to take precautions before applying for online programmes. It lays down the minimum standards of instruction for the grant of online degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How To Verify Universities Offering Online Programmes?

To ensure the quality of online education, UGC DEB has made regulations so that students can enrol in the right institution and programme.

According to UGC guidelines, the higher educational institutions (HEIs) that are entitled to offer online programmes must meet NAAC or NIRF ranking requirements.

The UGC has made it mandatory for all HEIs that are recognised and entitled to offer ODL and Online programmes to display the following details on their websites.

Applications submitted to UGC
Affidavits and approvals from statutory bodies
Regulatory authority approvals (if applicable)
Additional information on their website as per regulation 9, i.e., Self-regulation through disclosures, declarations and reports of UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.

This information will significantly help prospective students to choose the right university for online programmes.

Students should also confirm the recognition status of HEIs offering ODL and Online education for the session opted for admission on UGC DEB website, check the details on the HEIs' website, take note of prohibited programmes and prohibition of franchising arrangement and ensure that all activities are being conducted within Territorial Jurisdiction for ODL Programmes.

Apply For Online Degrees in 2026

Online BBA Registration 2026	Online MBA Registration 2026
Online B.Com Registration 2026	Online M.Com Registration 2026
Online BA Registration 2026	Online MA Registration 2026
Online BSc Registration 2026	Online MSc Registration 2026
Online BCA Registration 2026	Online MCA Registration 2026

Mandatory Creation of DEB-ID

Students applying for open distance learning and online programmes are required to create a DEB ID on the UGC-DEB web portal. They shall register their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID to generate a unique DEB-ID to enroll in ODL/Online programmes in recognised/entitled HEIs. The DEB-ID once generated on the UGC-DEB web portal will remain valid for lifelong ODL/Online learning.

Check How to Create a UGC DEB ID for Admission in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Programmes

List of Universities Entitled to Offer Online Programme

UGC has released a new list of HEIs entitled to offer online programmes from academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025. As per the new UGC list, 113 universities, across state, private, central, state open, and deemed-to-be, are entitled to offer programmes in online mode.

Additionally, the latest UGC notification lists 13 higher education institutions (HEIs) recognised to offer online programmes for academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025.

List of UGC Entitled Universities For Online Programmes (2025-26)

University Name	Type	Number of Programmes
Andhra University	State University	12
Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation	Deemed-To- Be University	8
Vignan’s Foundation For Science, Technology And Research	Deemed-To- Be University	6
Mohan Babu University	Private University	5
Assam Down Town University	Private University	4
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya	Central University	13
MATS University	Private University	5
Jamia Hamdard	Deemed To Be University	8
Jamia Millia Islamia University	Central University	12
Jawaharlal Nehru University	Central University	1
Central Sanskrit University	Central University	6
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya	State University	4
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade	Deemed To Be University	1
Gujarat University	State University	6
Charotar University Of Science & Technology	Private University	4
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University	State Open University	10
Parul University	Private University	10
Marwadi University	Private University	7
Gujarat Technological University	State University	1
G.L.S. University	Private University	6
P.P. Savani University	Private University	5
Guru Jambheshwar University Of Science And Technology	State University	8
Kurukshetra University	State University	9
Maharshi Dayanand University	State University	8
Maharishi Markandeshwar	Deemed-To- Be- University	6
Manav Rachna International Institute Of Research & Studies	Deemed-To- Be- University	5
Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University	Private University	5
Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences	Private University	8
Central University Of Himachal Pradesh	Central University	5
University Of Jammu	State University	2
Birla Institute Of Technology	Deemed To Be University	1
Jain (Deemed-To-Be University)	Deemed-To- Be- University	11
Jss Academy Of Education And Research	Deemed To Be University	3
Manipal Academy Of Higher Education	Deemed To Be University	7
Bangalore University	State University	10
University Of Mysore	State University	12
Yenepoya	Deemed To Be University	6
Visveswaraiah Technological University	State University	13
Karnataka State Open University	State Open University	10
Christ (Deemed To Be University)	Deemed To Be University	7
Dayanand Sagar University	Private University	5
Alliance University	Private University	3
Adichunchana Giri University	Private University	1
Mahatma Gandhi University	State University	13
University Of Kerala	State University	4
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidya Laya	State University	3
Sage University	Private University	9
Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Pune)	Deemed To Be University	3
D.Y. Patil (Navi Mumbai)	Deemed To Be University	4
Symbiosis International	Deemed To Be University	10
Bharati Vidyapeeth	Deemed To Be University	4
Datta Meghe Institute Of Higher Education And Research	Deemed To Be University	5
University Of Mumbai	State University	1
Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies (Nmims)	Deemed To Be University	4
Shivaji University	State University	3
Savitribai Phule Pune University	State University	5
Mizoram University	Central University	12
Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology	Deemed To Be University	8
Centurion University Of Technology And Management	Private University	6
Chandigarh University	Private University	10
Chitkara University	Private University	2
Lovely Professional University	Private University	12
Guru Nanak Dev University	State University	11
Guru Kashi University	Private University	13
Desh Bhagat University	Private University	13
Manipal University	Private University	8
Vivekananda Global University	Private University	9
Banasthali Vidyapith	Deemed To Be University	11
Mody University Of Science And Technology	Private University	7
Amity University	Private University	9
Jaipur National University	Private University	8
Sikkim Manipal University	Private University	9
Shri Ramasamy Memorial University	Private University	6
Bharathidasan University	State University	10
Bharath Institute Of Higher Education And Research	Deemed-To- Be University	3
B.S Abdur Rahman Institute Of Science And Technology	Deemed-To- Be University	3
Madurai Kamaraj University	State University	9
Dr. M.G.R. Educational And Research Institute	Deemed-To- Be University	7
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy	Deemed-To- Be University	10
Sathyabama Institute Of Science And Technology	Deemed-To- Be University	6
S.R.M. Institute Of Sciences And Technology	Deemed-To- Be University	5
University Of Madras	State University	9
Kalasalingam Academy Of Research And Higher Education	Deemed-To- Be University	7
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University	Deemed-To- Be University	8
Alagappa University	State University	8
Bharathiar University	State University	11
Vellore Institute Of Technology	Deemed-To- Be University	4
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University	State University	10
Hindustan Institute Of Technology And Science (Hits)	Deemed-To- Be University	5
Karunya Institute Of Technology And Sciences	Deemed-To- Be University	2
Meenakshi Academy Of Higher Education And Research	Deemed-To- Be University	3
Anna University	State University	2
Vel’s Institute Of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (ViISTAS)	Deemed-To- Be University	2
Sri Ramachandra Institute Of Higher Education And Research	Deemed-To- Be University	1
ICFAI Foundation For Higher Education	Deemed-To- Be University	2
International Institute Of Information Technology	Deemed-To- Be University	1
Aligarh Muslim University	Central University	11
Amity University	Private University	12
Sharda University	Private University	7
Mangalayatan University	Private University	12
Shiv Nadar Institution Of Eminence	Deemed-To- Be University	1
Integral University	Private University	13
G.L.A. University	Private University	3
Dayal Bagh Educational Institute	Deemed To Be University	5
University Of Lucknow	State University	9
Noida International University	Private University	9
Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University	State University	6
Galgotias University	Private University	8
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University	State University	8
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University	State University	5
Graphic Era	Deemed-To- Be University	5
University Of Petroleum And Energy Studies	Private University	8
Uttaranchal University	Private University	5

Explore UGC Entitled vs UGC Recognised Online Degree: What Students Should Know?

List of Universities Recognied to Offer ODL Programme

UGC has also released a new list of HEIs entitled to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programmes from academic year 2025-26, session July-August 2025. As per the new UGC list, 101 institutions are recognised to offer programmes under open and distance learning mode .

Apart from this, UGC DEB has also listed Category-I HEIs entitled to offer ODL programmes for academic year 2025-26, academic session July-August, 2025. As per the latest UGC notification, 20 institutions are entitled to ODL programmes.