The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, has received a major boost. The University Grants Commission's Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) has approved the centre to offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes for the next five years.
This approval will be effective from the 2026–27 academic session, according to Sunit Mukherjee, Director (Public Relations) at MDU.
Approved programmes at MDU Rohtak
CDOE Director Prof Rajesh Dhankhar confirmed that the UGC-DEB has accredited a wide range of programmes. These include undergraduate degrees like BA and BCom, as well as several postgraduate courses.
The approved postgraduate programmes include MA in Economics, Public Administration, English, Sanskrit, Hindi, History and Political Science. Additionally, MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, MCom, and MSc Mathematics have also been cleared.
Regulatory framework for distance education
All the approved programmes will operate under the UGC (ODL and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020. This framework sets the standards for how distance and online education must be delivered in India.
Prof Dhankhar also mentioned that the deadline for admissions and other related processes will follow the guidelines set by the UGC-DEB.
Our Take: A step forward for accessible education
In our view, this five-year approval from the UGC-DEB is a significant development for students in Haryana and beyond. It provides long-term stability for MDU's distance education programmes, which is crucial for students planning their higher education through flexible modes.
The range of approved courses — from traditional subjects like History and Sanskrit to professional ones like Journalism and Mathematics — shows that the university is trying to meet diverse student needs. This move aligns well with the growing demand for online and distance learning options in India.
However, the real test will be in the quality of delivery. With a five-year mandate, MDU now has the opportunity to build a robust system that truly benefits students who cannot attend regular classes.
