New Delhi, November 11, 2025:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced an extension of the deadline for eligible Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to submit applications for offering programmes under the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or Online mode for the academic year 2025-26, beginning February 2026 and onwards.
The decision follows several requests from universities and colleges seeking additional time to complete their applications under the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, and its amendments.
Revised Application Schedule
According to the latest UGC notification:
Last date for online application submission: 17th November 2025
Application portal: https://deb.ugc.ac.in/
Last date for submission of hard copy of the original affidavit: 30th November 2025
Submission address: Joint Secretary, Distance Education Bureau, UGC, 35, Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi – 110001
All other terms and conditions mentioned in the Public Notice F. No. 1-4/2025(DEB-NER) dated 21st October 2025 remain unchanged.
About the Extension
The UGC stated that this extension will help ensure maximum participation from eligible HEIs that wish to seek recognition to offer ODL and Online programmes in line with national standards and regulatory guidelines. The move supports the Commission’s goal of expanding access to quality higher education through flexible learning modes.
HEIs are advised to carefully follow the regulations under Clause 3(A) and Clause 3(B)(b) of the UGC (ODL and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, and regularly check the UGC-DEB website for further updates or clarifications.
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