Recognized Online Degrees from India

[archsvt]

In this news article (link: https://www.ndtv.com/education/ugc-allow...-till-2025) that I read, India's University Grants Commission (UGC) listed institutions that are "recognized" to offer distance learning degrees. The institutes (as indicated by the list) are:

• Acharya Nagarjuna University (http://anucde.info/default.asp)
  
• Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidy Alayam (https://www.spmvv.ac.in/dde.html)
  
• Tezpur University (http://www.tezu.ernet.in/tu_codl/)
  
• Dibrugarh University (https://dibru.ac.in/open-distance-learning/)
  
• Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (http://www.kkhsou.in/web_new/)
  
• Jamia Hamdard (http://jamiahamdard.edu/UserPanel/Displa...&ItemID=ec)
  
• Himachal Pradesh University (http://icdeolhpu.org/)
  
• Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidy Alaya Chitrakoot (http://gramodayachitrakoot.ac.in/distance-learning/)
  
• Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha (http://www.visvesvaraya.org/schools/dist...-programme)
  
• Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (https://www.ycmou.ac.in/)
  
• Lovely Professional University (https://www.lpude.in/)
  
• Tamil Nadu Open University (https://tnou.ac.in/)
  
• Graphic Era University (https://distance.geu.ac.in/)
  

I think it is interesting that even within these institutes, there are still some degree offerings that have not been "recognized" yet. For instance, the pdf that was attached to the news article mentioned that the only recognized distance degree from Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidy Alayam is their Master of Arts in Music, even though the institution itself is offering other distance degrees.

Furthermore, there are notable exclusions, such as Amity University, O.P. Jindal Global University, and Assam Don Bosco University. Admittedly, I do not know much about the Indian education system, but I am under the impression that distance learning accreditation seems to be separate from the overall institutional accreditation by the UGC. Would love to hear some thoughts about this.

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Update: Apparently, that list has been updated (https://www.ndtv.com/education/ugc-allow...ng-courses), with the newly recognized institutions being:

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (http://www.braou.ac.in/)
  
• Karnataka State Open University (https://www.ksoumysuru.ac.in/)
  
• Jiwaji University (http://www.jiwaji.edu/dis_edu_academic_programme.asp)
  
• M.P. Bhoj (Open) University (https://mpbou.edu.in/)
  
• Pondicherry University (https://www.pondiuni.edu.in/department/d...education/)
  
• Suresh Gyan Vihar University (https://www.sgvu.edu.in/)
  
• Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (https://www.msuniv.ac.in/Distance-Education/)
  
• University Of Madras (http://www.ideunom.ac.in/)
  
• Netaji Subhash Open University (http://www.wbnsou.ac.in/)
  
• Rabindra Bharati University (https://www.rbudde.in/)
  
• University of Kalyani (https://www.dodl.klyuniv.ac.in/)
  

I have attached the pdf from this news article as well as the previous one.

[asianphd]

The problem is most universities asked you to sit the exam in person, which is impossible for foreigners to enroll.

[SteveFoerster]

The problem is most universities asked you to sit the exam in person, which is impossible for foreigners to enroll.

Sometimes you can make arrangements if you live near (or can get to) an embassy or consulate of the country where that university is based, but I'd think dealing with the bureaucracy would often make that more trouble than it's worth.

[Alpha]

The most glaring omission from the list is that of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which has been India's leading distance learning institution since 1985.
http://ignou.ac.in/

[Johann]

The most glaring omission from the list is that of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which has been India's leading distance learning institution since 1985.
http://ignou.ac.in/

It is also one of the most unresponsive schools ever, for foreign applicants. Emails etc. are often NEVER answered. I've read of many instances of people giving up after numerous unanswered contact attempts. And if you look at fees, you'll find (after hard searching) that not only IGNOU, but many other Indian schools that serve (?) overseas students - or claim to - have separate fee structures - often up to 40 times (!) the domestic "bargain" rate. 

Another thing: "Distance Education" in India doesn't always mean overseas students are welcome. Many times, it means programs for Indian students who live far from the University - not foreigners. There are a plethora of "Study centres" - some good (authorized) some bad (unauthorized) for such students. Those are a kind of a maze / minefield and not meant for outsiders anyway. Non-Indians should not bother with them.

You asked - the DEB (Distance Education Board), a division of UGC (University Grants Commission) is the authority that oversees Distance Education. They're here: https://www.ugc.ac.in/deb/

Non-UGC schools. This is seen with some non-Indian schools that have established themselves in India. Don Bosco U. is run by an order of the Roman Catholic Church and is known to have a very good rep. I have never heard of an American holding a DBU degree who had any trouble getting it recognized back home in the US.  And Amity is now both US - accredited (WASC) and UGC recognized.  If you're dealing with a non-UGC school - make sure it has accreditation or equivalent which is meaningful in your situation - i.e. the degree will work where you intend to live / work. 

Here's Amity's accreditation page: https://www.amity.edu/about-recognition.aspx

A word to the (hopefully) wise: On these forums, there seems to be a lot of recently-revived interest in overseas schools. Lately, some people very inexperienced in this topic are going through lists of foreign universities like they were in Filene's basement on sale day and publishing over-enthusiastic "sale-flyer / bargain list" posts in forums. Some of those people have skipped their homework to dive right into the "sale." They need to do a LOT of work - first. Better to prevent egg-on-face than attempt to remove it. It sticks. I know!

[Alpha]

It's good to make the distinction between UGC and non-UGC schools.  One thing that doesn't get mentioned much is the the UGC schools that are allowed to offer online degrees are still restricted from offering doctoral degrees.  This is true of all of the schools on the list except IGNOU which continues to offer a range doctoral degrees.  I would want to stress that I have never heard of anyone not living in India being admitted/graduating from any of these programs.

[Johann]

Yes - UGC (or not) is an important distinction. Thanks for mentioning it.

Re: IGNOU's Doctoral Programs. Me too. I don't know of anyone outside India being admitted to these programs, either. Certainly no North Americans. And I've been waiting over 15 years to hear...

[Alpha]

Here's an article on the "internationalization" of higher education in India

India Higher Ed Encouraged to Work with Foreign Institutions (natlawreview.com)

[learning_spree]

For Indian students: IGNOU provides 6 months certificate courses in multiple disciplines. Each certificate course gives you 16-18 credits for 6000 INR or 82 USD. And this university got NAAC A++ accreditation in Jan 2021, the highest grade possible. If the NAAC accreditated credits can be transferred as RA credits, this would be the cheapest way for accumulating as many credits as possible.

[Johann]

For Indian students: IGNOU provides 6 months certificate courses in multiple disciplines. Each certificate course gives you 16-18 credits for 6000 INR or 82 USD. And this university got NAAC A++ accreditation in Jan 2021, the highest grade possible. If the NAAC accreditated credits can be transferred as RA credits, this would be the cheapest way for accumulating as many credits as possible.

Great! Now, if they would just respond to overseas enquiries...  Plus, for North American use, foreign credit transfer (other than a complete degree) is iffy at best. An individuaI school might / might not allow them, I guess. I did read here of an effort to transfer European ECTS for credit at one of the big 3. Correct me if I'm wrong (yet again) but, last I read, no sign of a successful outcome on that venture..