The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive to all higher education institutions, urging them not to admit foreign nationals into open and distance learning (ODL) programs. The notice emphasized the eligibility criteria outlined in UGC regulations Annexure III, which specify that only individuals residing in India are eligible for enrollment in ODL programs.
According to regulation 23 of the UGC's ODL Programmes and Online Programmes Regulations, 2020, "A learner residing in any part of the country may enroll in any programme being offered by a higher educational institution recognized by the Commission for offering programs under open and distance learning mode." However, it also specifies that all activities related to the learner, such as admissions, contact programs, and examinations, must be conducted strictly within the territorial jurisdiction of the higher educational institution as specified in the regulations.
The higher education regulatory body further stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified that no student visa will be granted to foreign nationals sponsored by franchise educational institutes running off-campus centers, study centers of open universities offering distance learning programs, or educational institutes running "outreach" programs without statutory sanction from regulatory authorities.
