Section 15 in University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017
15. Learner Support Services.
(1)A Higher Educational Institution offering programmes in Open and Distance Learning mode shall have guidelines for learner support services which is made available to all Learner Support Centres and accessible to the learners.(2)The learner support services to be provided by the Higher Educational Institution shall include the following, namely:-(i)pre-admission counselling for prospective learners to provide information to facilitate them in taking an informed decision on joining a specific programme;(ii)support for admission related matters;(iii)details of study material and information shall also be available on the website of the Higher Educational Institution;(iv)arrangement to ensure the delivery of study material to learners within a fortnight from the date of admission.(v)A full time dedicated help desk well versed with the learner information data base providing single window services for all learner related queries.(3)The University Grants Commission (Grievance Redressal) Regulations, 2012 shall be adopted and operationalised by the Higher Educational Institution, and the Higher Educational Institution shall institute a system of Grievance Redressal, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Annexure XI.(4)The Higher Educational Institution shall provide facilities for on-line guidance and counselling facilities to the learners.(5)The Higher Educational Institution shall create `on-line' discussion forum for learners.(6)The `Self Learning Material' in printed form shall be provided compulsorily to the learners and in addition, the Higher Educational Institution may provide additional learning resources through on-line mode, Compact Disks etc.Part-V Assessment, Accreditation, Audit, Inspection and Monitoring
