Summary
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the last date for admissions to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes.
In its official statement, the UGC confirmed that all institutions offering courses through ODL and online modes must adhere to the revised timeline.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the last date for admissions to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes for the academic session February 2026 of the 2025–26 academic year. Students can now apply until April 10, 2026, providing additional time beyond the earlier deadline of March 30.
The decision was taken after the commission received requests from several higher educational institutions seeking more time to complete the admission process. In its official statement, the UGC confirmed that all institutions offering courses through ODL and online modes must adhere to the revised timeline.
In addition to extending the student admission deadline, the commission has also revised the timeline for institutions to submit admission data. Higher educational institutions can now upload their admission details on the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) portal through the reverse API mechanism until April 13, instead of the earlier deadline of March 31.
The UGC has reiterated that institutions must strictly comply with the updated schedule to ensure a smooth and transparent admission process. It has also issued an advisory for students, urging them to verify the authenticity of both the institution and the programme before enrolling. Students are encouraged to check whether the course and university are approved and listed on the UGC-DEB portal to avoid falling victim to unrecognised programmes.
Last updated on 02 Apr 2026
