India, Aug. 17 -- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all higher education institutions (HEIs) to stop offering programmes in healthcare and allied disciplines through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or online mode from the July-August 2025 academic session. The order follows the recommendations of the 24th Distance Education Bureau Working Group meeting that was held on April 22 this year and was approved at the UGC's 592nd meeting on July 23.

The ban applies to courses under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. These include Psychology, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.

According to the circular, institutions that alre...