Section 3(1) in University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017
(1)Every Higher Educational Institution offering a programme in Open and Distance Learning mode in pursuance of an approval granted to it for the purpose by the then Distance Education Council or by the Commission or by any other regulatory authority or intending to offer a programme in Open and Distance Learning mode from the academic session immediately after the notification of these regulations shall, for grant of recognition, make an application to the Commission in such form and manner as laid down in sub-regulation (2) on fulfilment of the following conditions, namely :-(i)the Higher Educational Institution has the approval of the statutory bodies under the Act for offering the programme in Open and Distance Learning mode;(ii)the Higher Educational Institution shall adhere to the policy of territorial jurisdiction as specified in Annexure IV;(iii)the Higher Educational Institution other than an Open University, is offering similar programme in the conventional mode of classroom teaching;(iv)a copy of such application is displayed on the website of the Higher Educational Institutions by way of self disclosure;(v)that the application is accompanied by evidence of having prepared the self learning materials required for the programmes of study, duly approved by the statutory bodies of the Higher Educational Institutions empowered to decide on academic matters;(vi)the application is accompanied by evidence of availability of Open and Distance Learning resources adequate for effective delivery of all the proposed programme(s) of study and the expected enrolment of students;(vii)the application is accompanied by evidence of the preparedness for establishing Learner Support Centres, providing Learning Support Services, establishing Centre for Internal Quality Assurance, availability of the academic and other staff in the Unit and Learner Support Centres of the Higher Education, availability of qualified Counsellors in the Learner Support Centres meeting such standards of competence as specified in Annexure V, and the administrative arrangements for supportive services for effective delivery of Open and Distance Learning;(viii)[ The Higher Educational Institution has completed five years of existence: [Substituted by Notification F. No. 2-4/2018 (DEB-I), dated 6.9.2018 (w.e.f. 23.6.2017).]Provided that the Higher Educational Institutions shall submit an undertaking to the effect that it will attain a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) score of 3.26 on a 4-point scale before the end of academic session July 2019-June 2020, failing which, the Commission shall not accord any approval to the Open and Distance Learning Programmes of the Higher Educational Institutions:Provided further, that this clause shall not be applicable to Open Universities till the time they become eligible for NAAC accreditation and it shall be mandatory for Open Universities to get NAAC accreditation within one year of their becoming eligible for the same:Provided further, that an institution Deemed to be a University so declared by the Central Government shall offer the Open and Distance Learning courses or programmes as per the extant Deemed to be a University Regulations and other relevant Regulations notified by the University Grants Commission from time to time and after due inspection of the off-campus centres or study centres or both as applicable, are found adequate.]
