UGC Sets Bar on ODL for Health Sciences & Allied Courses: Ensures Quality Education

PharmaGenDRx News Bureau- 18th August, 2025
3:00 PM IST

In a recent notice, all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are directed by University Grants Commission (UGC) to terminate offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode for healthcare and allied programmes, with effect from this academic session July-August
2025.

This decision, aligns with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, following the Commission deliberations addressed at its 592nd meeting on July 23, 2025. Under this notice, no new admissions are to be made under healthcare and allied disciplines in ODL mode from the upcoming sessions. Any prior recognitions accorded to institutions for such programmes included in this discipline for 2025–26 and
thereafter will be recalled implementing the directive nationwide.

This move by UGC aims to ensure quality, safety, and hands-on competence in practical health-related education, reaffirming that graduates are bring prepared face for sensitive and
critical responsibilities which demands adherence to rigorous, supervised, in-person training standards. This step is vital to safeguard the online ecosystem and bring clarity to students, parents, and institutions.

All HEIs are notified to discontinue admissions to healthcare and allied programmes via online mode from this session, July–August 2025. The institutions must ensure compliance with NCAHP Act, 2021 and informing learners about moderations in the programme.

Students are encouraged to consult official UGC websites and university advisories for
programme-wise details and permissible delivery modes.

By Arundhuti Chatterjee and Sharon Bose