UGC’s latest order stops universities, including IGNOU, from offering online and distance learning courses in healthcare and allied fields.
If you are studying with IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) or planning to apply for one of its Online or ODL programmes in Psychology, Nutrition, Microbiology, Physiotherapy, Radiology, Biotechnology, or other healthcare-related fields, the latest decision by the University Grants Commission (UGC) may have left you confused or anxious.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), in its 592nd meeting on 23 July 2025, announced that from the July–August 2025 session onwards, no Higher Education Institute will be allowed to run healthcare and allied programmes in Online or ODL mode, which applies to courses falling under the NCAHP Act, 2021.
If your immediate question is “What does this mean for me?”, here are the answers you need:
1. I am already enrolled in an IGNOU Online/ODL healthcare course. Will my admission be cancelled?
- No. Your admission is safe. If you joined IGNOU before July 2025, you are allowed to continue your studies.
- However, IGNOU may ask you to attend offline sessions for practical components such as lab work, clinical exposure, or internships.
- Your degree will remain valid and recognised after completion.
2. I was planning to take admission in IGNOU from July–August 2025. Can I still apply?
• No. IGNOU cannot accept new admissions in these healthcare subjects from the July 2025 session onwards.
• This includes:
o Psychology
o Nutrition & Dietetics
o Food & Nutrition Science
o Microbiology & Biotechnology
o Physiotherapy
o Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology
o Community & Behavioural Health Sciences
o And other allied subjects listed under the NCAHP Act, 2021.
3. My IGNOU programme has many subjects (like BA with Psychology). What happens now?
- If your IGNOU degree has multiple specialisations, only the healthcare-related subject (like Psychology) will be stopped.
- Other subjects such as English, History, Economics, Public Administration, etc. will continue in Online/ODL mode without any issue.
4. I already finished my IGNOU Online/ODL healthcare degree before July 2025. Will it still be recognised?
- Yes, absolutely. IGNOU degrees earned before this ban remain safe, valid, and recognised.
- The UGC decision is prospective — it applies only to admissions from July 2025 onwards.
- Your IGNOU qualification will still be accepted for jobs, higher studies, and professional purposes.
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5. Why did UGC take this step?
- Healthcare fields require practical training, lab work, and real patient interaction, which Online/ODL cannot fully provide.
- To maintain education quality and patient safety, UGC decided that such programmes should only be taught in regular on-campus mode.
6. Which fields are banned in Online/ODL mode?
According to the NCAHP Act, 2021, the restriction applies to these 10 categories:
- Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences
- Trauma, Burn Care & Surgical/Anesthesia Technology
- Physiotherapy
- Nutrition Science (Dietetics, Food & Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition)
- Ophthalmic Sciences (Eye Care)
- Occupational Therapy
- Community Care & Behavioural Health Sciences (includes Psychology)
- Medical Radiology, Imaging & Therapeutic Technology
- Medical Technologists & Physician Associates
- Health Information Management & Health Informatics
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7. What if IGNOU already had approval for my course for 2025 and later?
- UGC has withdrawn any recognition granted to IGNOU or other universities for July 2025 onwards.
- This means no new admissions will be allowed.
- If you are already enrolled, you will not lose recognition — but practical components may shift to offline mode.
8. What are my options if I still want to study these subjects with IGNOU?
- You will need to look at regular/on-campus programmes at other universities, since IGNOU cannot admit new students into healthcare ODL courses anymore.
- In the future, UGC may allow blended models (online theory + offline practicals), but only with approval.
- If you are interested in non-healthcare subjects, IGNOU’s Online and ODL programmes remain open. In fact, the admission deadline for July–August 2025 session has been extended until October 15, 2025 for those programmes.
- You can also explore IGNOU’s short-term certificate courses in areas like Nutrition & Childcare, Health Care Waste Management, Yoga, and Maternal & Child Health — these remain available and recognised.
9. What if I pursue an online healthcare degree from a foreign university instead of IGNOU?
- The ban applies only to Indian universities like IGNOU.
- If you pursue an online healthcare degree abroad, you must check whether it will be recognised in India by UGC or AIU for jobs and further studies. Recognition is not automatic.
Key Takeaways for IGNOU Students
- Already completed IGNOU healthcare degree (before July 2025): Fully valid and recognised.
- Currently enrolled IGNOU students (before July 2025): You can continue; some practical may be shifted offline.
- Planning to apply from July 2025 onwards: Not possible for healthcare subjects in Online/ODL.
- Non-healthcare IGNOU courses: Still open and unaffected.
In short, if you are an IGNOU learner who has already enrolled or completed your course, your degree is safe and valid. The UGC ban only blocks new admissions in healthcare-related Online/ODL programmes from July 2025 onwards.
Very informative