NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned against admission to a dozen higher educational courses, including engineering, hotel management, and architecture, as they cannot be availed fully online, or open and distance learning (ODL) modes.

Along with the 12 streams, MPhil or Ph.D. degrees also cannot be offered through online and open and distance learning (ODL) modes. This is primarily because such courses need a sizeable amount of practice beyond classroom teaching which is not always possible via ODL or online.

The notification comes as online education gains traction, with most campuses, shut given the coronavirus pandemic. The UGC's caution is against admission to courses like "engineering, medicine, law, dental, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy, agriculture, hotel management, culinary studies, valuation of real estate, any other program not permitted …by any statutory council or regulatory bodies." "Apart from the above, MPhil and Ph.D. programs in all disciplines through ODL, and online mode, are also prohibited," the regulator said.

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