The University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed all higher education institutions to ban the enrollment of foreign nationals in open and distance learning (ODL) programs. The Commission stated that only individuals residing in India can enroll in ODL programs, as per Annexure III of the UGC regulations.
According to regulation 23 of the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programs and Online Programs Regulations, 2020), (3) Learner’s enrollment (for open and distance learning mode): A learner living anywhere in India can enroll in any program being offered by a higher educational institution authorized by the Commission to offer programs in open and distance learning mode. However, the institution must ensure that all activities, including admissions, contact programs, and examinations, are conducted within the territorial jurisdiction of the institution as defined in these regulation.
Additionally, the UGC has mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs notified that student visas are not available for international students, seeking admission through franchise educational institutes that operate off-campus centers or offer distance learning courses through open universities, outreach programs, or courses without regulatory sanctions.
The official notice, in view of the above stated that higher education institutions (HEIs) that are authorized to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programs are instructed not to enroll any foreign nationals in such programs. Accordingly only learners, residing within India may be enrolled in ODL programs, in compliance to the territorial jurisdiction for all the activities of learners, as defined in Annexure-III of the UGC (ODL Programs and Online Programs) Regulations, 2020.