Did you know that you might be able to pursue a regular undergraduate programme along with an undergraduate programme in Open or Distance Learning mode soon?
Yes, you read that right.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new guidelines which may soon allow students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously. This includes postgraduate courses as well.
There may be lot of students, for example, who wanted to get enrolled in B.A. (Hons.) English in regular mode but couldn’t, for some reason, and are instead pursuing B.A. Programme. Such students may now be allowed to do B.A. (Hons.) English in Open or Distance Learning mode, (eg. from School of Open Learning, Delhi University) simultaneously while they are doing B.A. Programme or some other undergraduate course in regular mode.
In the example above we have discussed just one random situation. In fact, there may be so many combinations of two such academic programmes possible that you may want to think about it very carefully.
Those who wish to pursue two full time academic programmes in physical mode may also be able to do so provided that in such cases, the timings of classes for both the courses are different.
A student can pursue two full time academic programmes in physical mode provided that in such cases, class timings for one programme do not overlap with the class timings of the other programme.
A student can pursue two academic programmes, one in full time physical mode and another in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online mode; or up to two ODL/Online programmes simultaneously.
Degree or diploma programmes under ODL/Online mode shall be pursued with only such HEIs which are recognized by UGC/Statutory Council/Govt. of India for running such programmes.
Degree or diploma programmes under these guidelines shall be governed by the Regulations notified by the UGC and also the respective statutory/professional councils, wherever applicable.
These guidelines shall come into effect from the date of their notification by the UGC. No retrospective benefit can be claimed by the students who have already done two academic programmes simultaneously prior to the notification of these guidelines.
(as mentioned in the UGC guidelines issued on 13th April, 2022)
However, if you are already enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme and you wish to enrol in another programme or course as explained above, you would need to wait for your university to devise appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the same which may take some time.
So, we advise you to check the official website of your university regularly for latest updates and announcements especially if you are pursuing an Open or Distance Learning Programme.