Punjab clears policy for private digital open universities to offer regulated online degrees

The Punjab Cabinet on Friday approved a policy allowing private digital open universities to operate in the state and offer online and distance learning programmes that comply with national regulatory norms.

The decision, cleared under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is aimed at expanding access to higher education through regulated digital platforms while keeping academic standards in line with national requirements.

Under the policy, private digital open universities will be permitted to offer programmes only if they meet the norms laid down by the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education. This includes adherence to guidelines for online and distance learning courses, faculty requirements, assessment systems, and student support services.

The government said that the move seeks to balance the growing demand for flexible learning options with the need for oversight. Universities will be required to obtain prior approval from the state and relevant central regulators before starting operations or launching programmes. Only degrees and diplomas recognised by the UGC and, where applicable, AICTE will be allowed.

Officials said the policy also sets conditions related to transparency, fee structures, academic disclosures, and grievance redress mechanisms. Institutions failing to comply with the prescribed norms may face penalties, including withdrawal of permission to operate.

The Cabinet noted that digital open universities could help reach learners who are unable to access conventional campuses, including working professionals and students in remote areas. At the same time, the state underlined that quality control and regulatory compliance would remain central to the approval process.

With this decision, Punjab joins a growing list of states framing specific rules for private players in the online and distance learning space, as higher education increasingly moves toward blended and digital formats.