The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive instructing higher education institutions (HEIs) to discontinue offering programmes in healthcare and allied disciplines under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021 through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or online mode from the academic session beginning July-August 2025. This move impacts a wide range of specialisations, including Psychology, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, Clinical Nutrition, and Dietetics.
The decision was taken during the UGC’s 592nd meeting held on July 23, 2025, following the recommendations of the 24th Distance Education Bureau Working Group meeting conducted on April 22, 2025. The directive applies to all universities and colleges offering healthcare-related programmes via ODL or online mode, with institutions previously recognised to run these courses set to have their approval withdrawn by the UGC.
According to the guidelines, in cases where a programme offers multiple specialisations, such as a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Economics, History, Mathematics, Public Administration, Philosophy, Political Science, Statistics, Human Rights and Duties, Sanskrit, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, or Women Studies, only the healthcare-related specialisations will be discontinued. The remaining disciplines within the same programme will continue to be offered as per the institution’s existing approvals.
The UGC has instructed all HEIs not to admit students into healthcare and allied programmes through ODL or online mode for the July-August 2025 session onwards. This includes programmes that were previously recognised, ensuring uniform compliance across the country. The commission has emphasised that strict adherence to this directive is mandatory for all stakeholders, including universities, colleges, and students.
Furthermore, the UGC reminded institutions that all foreign collaborations in higher education must obtain explicit approval in line with the 2022 and 2023 frameworks governing joint degrees, dual degrees, and the establishment of foreign campuses in India. This is aimed at ensuring quality standards and compliance with national regulations in healthcare and allied education.
The ban reflects the UGC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of healthcare education, recognising the practical and clinical nature of these programmes, which require hands-on training and laboratory exposure that cannot be effectively delivered through online or distance learning. By enforcing this measure, the UGC aims to ensure that graduates in healthcare and allied disciplines are adequately trained to meet professional standards and serve in their respective fields.
This decision will have a significant impact on both institutions and students who were planning to pursue healthcare-related courses through online or ODL modes. Universities and colleges will need to restructure their programme offerings, while prospective students must seek alternative in-person or campus-based programmes to fulfil their academic goals.
