New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a new circular stating that all eligible Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can offer One-Year Postgraduate (PG) programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online mode. It is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and replaces the earlier guidelines issued by the UGC on July 24, 2026. Under the new guidelines, universities that are already approved by the UGC to offer Two-Year PG programmes through ODL or Online mode can now introduce a One-Year PG course in the same subject. However, the programme must meet all academic and regulatory requirements laid down by the UGC.
UGC has issued a circular permitting eligible Higher Education Institutions to offer One-Year Postgraduate Programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and/or Online mode in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020.
🔗 Read the UGC Circular:… pic.twitter.com/6WV5ukLjtF
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) August 5, 2026
Who Can Apply?
Admission to the One-Year PG programme will be open only to students who have successfully completed a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree with Honours, as provided under NEP 2020. For professional courses such as MBA, MCA, and PGDM, students should also meet the eligibility conditions as prescribed by the respective regulatory bodies.
Conditions for Universities
The UGC has said that eligible universities can offer the new programme only if:
- The university is already recognised by the UGC to run the Two-Year PG programme in ODL or Online mode
- The One-Year PG course is offered in the same discipline as the approved two-year programme
- The programme follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the UGC Curriculum and Credit Framework for Postgraduate Programmes, and all other applicable UGC regulations
- The course is approved by the university’s statutory bodies, including the Board of Studies (BoS), Academic Council, Executive Council, or equivalent authority
- The curriculum, credits, learning resources, and assessment process meet UGC norms.
As mentioned above, UGC’s decision is part of the implementation of NEP 2020, which introduced flexible higher education pathways. Under NEP 2020, students who complete a Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) with Honours can directly enrol in a One-Year Master’s programme instead of the traditional two-year postgraduate course. The aim is to provide a faster academic pathway for eligible students while maintaining the quality and standards of higher education.
