PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 5 -- Uttar Pradesh's lone state open university, UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), is grappling with mounting challenges as 53 of its courses have been either discontinued or suspended over the past two years.

University officials, however, attribute the challenge to evolving academic trends, declining student interest and new guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This year alone, nine courses have been dropped, with officials citing both the UGC's revised norms and reduced demand as key factors behind the cuts.

The university, which previously offered 123 programmes, has admitted students to 70 major courses for its July 2025-26 session, concedes UPRTOU vice-chancellor Prof Satyakam. Un...