Top 20 Universities in India for Distance Education Latest List 2023

by Pooja Singh
Published: Sep 07, 2021, 11:37 IST
Updated: Jan 07, 2023, 12:08 IST

Top 20 Universities in India for Distance education are for those who wish to continue their studies without having the need to take leave from their busy official schedules. Distance education has come of a blessing for those who wish to continue their studies which they have left in the past due to some valid reason.

Even the professionals who wish to study courses for further advancement in their work life without having the need to go on a long leave for undertaking studies can approach these top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Top 20 Universities in India for distance education

Top 20 universities in India for distance education offer various courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma or certificate levels. These top 20 universities in India for distance education follow high-class standards. The objective behind this article is to help students, professionals who wish to study continue studies, either for furthering their career or earning an educational qualification.

The list of top 20 universities in India for distance education is given below:

1. Indira Gandhi National Open University

There is perhaps on corner of this nation that is not aware of this institution. To many it is also known as IGNOU.

This is a blessing in disguise for all those who were compelled to stop education due to some valid reason but want to continue studying now.

The institution is an ocean of courses at various levels – graduate, post graduate and diploma. The process to apply for any course is also very simple.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, has continuously striven to build an inclusive knowledge society through inclusive education.

It has tried to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by offering high-quality teaching through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. This is also among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://ignou.ac.in/’

2. Sikkim Manipal University

If continuing education is what one wishes to do and commences the search for an institution to undertake learning in distance mode, the look would perhaps end at Sikkim Manipal University.

Quality is the key when it comes to imparting education, and in the distance learning space, it is the way to get noticed.

Sikkim Manipal University’s distance education wing is accredited with quality resources in terms of infrastructure, faculty, and course materials thereby creating a magnanimous impact on the education sector.

SMU-DE is mindful of the quality of learning through the online medium, which comes with its own limitations. Thus, the result is a knowledgeable student and a job-ready candidate assured of a quality placement.

SMU-DE has continuously strived with its new initiatives to provide the best experience possible to its distance education students.

The courses offered here are MBA, MCA MSc (IT) and much more. This is also among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://smude.edu.in/smude.html’

Top 20 Universities in India for distance education

3. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) has, since its inception in 2001, made rapid strides in providing quality education to many students – making it one of the few large and most sought after distance learning institutes of India.

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) offers Post Graduate Diploma, Diploma and Certificate programs across industry sectors including Business Management, International Business, Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, Insurance Management, Education Management, Business and Corporate Law and Entrepreneurship Development.

The curriculum is comparable to that of any full time management institute. The curriculum is designed and constantly updated by the Academics Department comprising faculty from top ranks of the industry and having several years of teaching experience.

4. IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute

This institution has a vision to impart continuum of management education through distance mode to learners across the globe.

Being one of the pioneers in the country in the space of distance learning management programs, it makes an effort to provide access to our students on a variety of management programs which focus on diverse professional needs of the 21st century.

It has the advantage of an early mover in the e-learning space. The learning management systems are one of the best in the industry right now. By allowing its students to learn what they want and when they want it, it wishes to create an e-learning ecosystem which keeps them engaged and motivated.

Moreover, the systems here are continuously upgraded. The improvements are rolled out in the design and deliveries that make studying online, more interesting and rewarding. The institution offers two year PGDM, 15 months PGDM (Executive) and 13 months PGCM. This is also one among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.imtcdl.ac.in/’

Top 20 Universities in India for distance education

5. M.P. Bhoj Open University

Institutions of higher learning are spread across the country and good number of them are active on the distance learning mode.

This organisation is one of those that aims to ensure higher education is available to all. The objective of this institution is to extend and expand higher education by reaching the un-reached through various flexible means suited to the open and distance education mode using emerging information and communication technology.

The other objective is to promote national integration and the integrated development of human personality for the well being of the community.

Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University is named to honour the Illustrious King Bhoj a Great Patron of Learning.

Raja Bhoj Deva, the most illustrious of the Parmar rulers of Malwa, was one of the greatest kings of ancient India. He ranks with the legendary Vikramaditiya of Ujjayani. This is also one among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://mpbou.edu.in/’

6. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University

The work of continuing education has become easy, thanks to institutions like this one. The organisation aspires to ensure that education is available to all.

The motto of this open university is ‘education at your doorstep.’ The university, initially was known as Andhra Pradesh Open University, was set up on 26 August 1982 through an Act of the A.P. State Legislature (APOU Act 1982).

Subsequently, the University was renamed as Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Open University on 26 October 1991 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

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The establishment of this University, the first of its kind in India, heralded an era of affirmative action on the part of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to provide opportunities of higher education to all sections of society to meet the changing individual and social needs.

All the programmes offered by the university are recognised by the University Grants Commission. Various programmes are offered at graduate, post graduate and diploma and certificate levels.

Among the courses at graduate are offered in BA, BSc and BCom streams. Post graduate programmes are MA History, MA English, MSc Mathematics, MSc Applied Mathematics and others. This is also among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://www.braou.ac.in/Home.aspx’

Top 20 Universities in India for distance education

7. Netaji Subhas Open University

Netaji Subhas Open University is the premier State Open University in India. The year 1997 was the birth centenary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal made an announcement at a State function that an Open University would be set up soon and dedicated to Netaji’s hallowed memory.

The Higher Education Minister, Government of West Bengal spearheaded the idea after his visit to the Open University in U.K. Under his instruction was set up a ten-member steering committee headed by late Dr. Bhaskar Ray Chowdhury, former Vice-Chancellor of Kolkata University.

Following this, a State Act (W.B. Act (XIX) of 1997 and recognized by U.G.C.) was passed on the 20th August 1997 in favor of opening a University for imparting Distance Education.

8. Karnataka State Open University

The scope of open learning is very wide owing to lot of institutions offering courses in the distance education mode.

Lot of students, professionals are choosing the online or distance mode to learn courses in different streams and institutions like Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).

KSOU is in Mysuru and is a State Public University established by the act of State Legislature in 1992 and was brought into force on 1 June 1996.

Ever since its establishment, KSOU has been pro-actively engaged in fulfilling the national objectives of higher education namely – to achieve access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. This is also one among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.ksoumysuru.ac.in/’

9. Maharishi Dayanand University

Education is of vital importance for progress in one’s life and institutions like Maharishi Dayanand University have been offering high quality education.

Realizing the important role of education which it plays in the overall national development, the Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak established a Correspondence Cell in the year 1988 for imparting education through ‘Correspondence’ leading to the award of B.Ed. degree.

In order to meet the growing demand of open and distance learning, the Directorate has enriched in terms of resources for further access to the aspirants.

It aims at establishing itself as a centre of excellence in Distance Education. This institution is also among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://mdu.ac.in/Department/OfficeMain.aspx?Dept=43’

10. Acharya Nagarjuna University Centre for Distance Education

There are many special points with regards to this institution. The first is that it offers quality education at an affordable cost through a wide network of study centres.

The students are always the prime focus here and there is a wide network of examination centres for the convenience of the students. Admissions are made twice a year.

The first admission happens as per academic year (July to June), second round of admission takes place as per the calender year batch (January to December).

Among the programmes offered here is LLM course which is of two year duration. This programme is offered in four specialisations.

The head quarters of the CDE is located in Acharya Nagarjuna University campus, between Vijayawada and Guntur on Kolkata – Chennai National Highway.

This institution is also among the top 20 universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://anucde.info/default.asp’

11. Yashwanthrao C Maharashtra Open University

The institution which is also popularly known as YCMOU was established in July 1989 by Act XX- (1989) of the Maharashtra State Legislature.

It is the fifth open university in the country. The jurisdiction of this university, originally for the State of Maharashtra, has now been extended beyond this State and the university can now operate anywhere across the globe.

YCMOU has been recognized under section 12 (B) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
It is a member of various prestigious associations and bodies like the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada to name a few.

The main aim of the YCMOU is to become a Mass Varsity and to make available to the common man, educational programmes that are of practical use in his day-to-day life and those that provide better prospects for the future.

This institution is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.ycmou.ac.in/’

12. Annamalai University

This is among those institutions that do not need any introduction. Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) of this university offers various courses in the distance education mode.

DDE established in 1979 and now offers more than two hundred different programmes of study. It is credited with the largest enrolment in India and is well equipped with computer and other infrastructure, adequate teaching faculty and administrative set-up of its own, study centres, computer training centres, etc., to serve its students’ clientele in their best interest at their door steps.

It has also the unique distinction of offering first in India, Postgraduate Degree Programmes in Applied Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Bioinformatics and Law through Distance Education mode.

The Directorate of Distance Education is also offering the Programmes on Fashion Design, Textile Design, Interior Design, Hotel Management and Catering Technology Programmes, Retail Management, Twinning Programme, Programmes on Health Science, Yoga, Music, Fire and Safety.

This is also one among top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://annamalaiuniversity.ac.in/dde/index.php’

13. Madras University

University of Madras is one of the famous institutions in India. Its Institute of Distance Education (IDE) is equally popular and offers lot of courses.

The University of Madras has developed an excellent IDE in the year 1981 to help learners to achieve their educational, career and personal goals.

It has completed more than 25 years of service in the field of Distance Education. Now the IDE is offering 15 Undergraduate Courses, 20 Postgraduate Courses under CBCS Pattern(Approved by UGC No.F.1-6/2018(DEB-1),dated 03.10.2018), 16 Diploma Courses and 12 Certificate Courses.

The courses offered here are MA Economics, MA English, MBA Financial Management, MSc Counselling Psychology and others. The undergraduate courses offered here BA Economics, BA English, BCom Bank Management and others.

This is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://www.ideunom.ac.in/’

14. Shivaji University

The Centre for Distance Education (CDE) of this university offers courses in the open learning mode.

Shivaji University, Kolhapur has external Examination system from its beginning for those students who are not able to take conventional education.

Grants of Distance Education Council (DEC) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, University established Centre for Distance Education (CDE) in the year 2005 and its actual functioning started from the year 2007.

This external section is converted into the CDE by offering Self-Instructional Material, Contact Sessions etc. facilities for fulfilling the students’ academic needs.

CDE offers two undergraduate courses i.e., B.A. (Languages and Social Sciences) and ten Post- Graduate Programmes i.e., M.A. (Languages and Social Sciences), M.Com., M.B.A., M.Sc. (Mathematics) and M.Com. (Valuation of Real Estate), Post Graduate Diploma in Translation.

The Centre has developed 348 Self Instructional Materials (SIM) from the subject experts for the distance education learner’s self-study.

The degrees students received through distance education are helpful for getting the job, promotion in the present job or for appearing the competitive examination.

This is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://www.unishivaji.ac.in/distedu/Distance-Home’

15. SNDT Women’s University

Since 1979, SNDT Women’s University shifted to dual mode of education-face to face as well as distance mode.

The Centre for Distance Education was established mainly to empower women through higher education.

The Centre for Distance Education (CDE) is offering several certificate/diploma/degree /post-graduate courses in various disciplines to thousands of girls/housewives/working women who could not complete their education (not even SSC/HSC), but are strongly motivated to upgrade their educational and /or professional qualifications.

In last four decades, more than 3 lakhs women are benefited by this facility and improved their careers. CDE of this university aims to empower women with higher education.

The popularity of this centre has reached all corners of this nation. This is one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://sndt.ac.in/cde/’

16. Andhra University

Andhra University, one of the oldest and accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade has established an international image in academic excellence.

School of Distance Education, an organ of this University, started in 1972, has been one of the pioneering institutions in the field of Higher Education.

It has been striving to extend the reach of higher education to different sections of the society located in divergent geographical areas, particularly in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Students of this institution study the same syllabi and are subject to the same regulations as that of the regular students of Andhra University.

The degree awarded is also the same. The learning package comprises of self-learning study material, audio-video packages and face-to-face interaction.

This is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.andhrauniversity.edu.in/admissions/school-of-distance-education.html’

17. Uttarakhand Open University

Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) was established by an Act of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly (Act No. 23 of 2005) on 31.10.2005 with the aim of disseminating knowledge and skills through distance learning, using the flexible and innovative methods of education to ensure independent learning.

The University uses novel educational programmes, various modes of communication technology and contact sessions to make distance learning more effective.

The major objective of the University is to cater to the educational needs of the target groups to create skilled and knowledge based human resource for speedy upliftment and development of the state.

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The University aims to impart quality education by maintaining high academic standards. For this purpose, it has radically reoriented itself in view of the rapid changes in the sphere of professional and technical education and has developed a number of new and innovative self-employment/employment oriented courses of study.

UOU offers its programmes through more than 90 study centres established at different locations in the state under eight Regional Centres at Dehradun, Roorkee, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Ranikhet, Bageshwar, Haldwani and Pithoragarh.

This is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.uou.ac.in/book/uttarakhand-open-university’

18. Nalanda Open University

The Nalanda Open University is the only University in the State of Bihar meant for imparting learning exclusively through the system of distance education.

The University was established in March 1987 by an ordinance, promulgated by the Government of Bihar.

Later, Nalanda Open University Act, 1995 was passed by Bihar Legislature, replacing the Ordinance, and the University came under the authority and jurisdiction of the new Act automatically.

The University is named after the famous Nalanda University of Ancient India. Various courses offered here are MCom, MA Economics, BCom. MCA, BCA and others.

This is also one among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://www.nalandaopenuniversity.com/’

19. University of Calicut

The School of Distance Education (SDE) of Calicut is also a known name in the field of distance learning.

SDE aspires to create novel realms of education embracing creativity and innovations to enhance access to and reach of quality higher education.

The mission of this institution is to provide distance learning opportunities to the unreached and enable them to pursue quality higher education leading to competence of a high order.

The School of Distance Education, formerly known as the ‘Institute of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education’, University of Calicut, started functioning in the Academic year 1981-82.

Now it is one of the major Departments of the university and has also emerged as one of the major distance education providers.

SDE is making all its effort to extend its support to reach the unpreach and has been keen in providing facilities in distance mode for the benefit of the deprived sections of the society.

It caters to the needs of thousands of students from various parts of the country. SDE offers 12 postgraduate courses and 14 undergraduate courses. This one is also among the top 20 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘http://www.sdeuoc.ac.in/’

20. Kurukshetra University

Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) offers lot of courses through open learning mode. It
is the pioneer institute of Haryana imparting quality education over the last 35 years.

It caters the academic pursuits of thousands of education seekers who are either deprived of education due to some constraint or those who wish to upgrade their qualification and competence.

The motive is to reach the unreached for building the knowledge-society by offering the quality education at learner’s door step.

The vision is to evolve a seamless system of higher distance education for sustainable life-long learning and up gradation of knowledge and skills by use of innovative approaches.

DDE of Kurukshetra University seeks to meet the current and future demands on the system of education. This is also among the top 10 Universities in India for distance education.

Website ‘https://www.ddekuk.ac.in/’

Conclusion (Top 20 universities in India for distance education)

Students willing to study courses in any one of these top 20 universities in India for distance education must remember that good number of these institutions may be having their own system of admitting the students.

Individuals aspiring to study in any one of these top 20 universities in India for distance education must be prepared to handle the admission process.

Applicants of these top 20 universities in India for distance education are advised to visit the respective official website of the institutions and know the admission process well in advance, so as to minimize rejection.

Candidates however must remember that these top 20 universities in India for distance education are an icon of standards in the field of distance education and hard work with determination can only help gain admission in these institutions.

The best thing about these top 20 universities in India for distance education is that the information about them can be obtained from their official website or even at the study centers located at various places. Study centers may also provide applications (physical) for students who wish to study.