Students who want to pursue educational qualifications through distance mode should check the current status of approval/recognition of programmes of universities/institutions available on the Distance Education Council’s (DEC) website according to a recent DEC notification. In the absence of DEC approval, qualifications acquired through distance mode shall not be treated recognised for the purpose of employment under the Central government. This was announced by the DEC authorities. DEC is a statutory body of the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

The decision came in after the council noticed that certain universities/institutions are giving misleading advertisements in the newspapers and through other media for admission in programmes through distance mode, indicating that they have approval of the DEC for various programmes.

Students are also advised not to take admission at any franchised study centre/contact point. The study centre has to be operated by the university/institution itself within its territorial jurisdiction as per DEC norms only.