UGC has banned Online Degrees in Psychology, Nutrition, and Healthcare programmes 2025
The University Grants Commission (UGC) imposed restrictions on psychology, nutrition, and healthcare-related courses offered by Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online modes to protect the standards of professional learning in India. With effect from July-August 2025, the ban will be applicable to all NCAHP Act, 2021-regulated disciplines.
The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) restriction on distance-learning courses in psychology has significantly affected over 1.3 lakh students’ academic and job prospects. These include undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students as well as alumni who are unsure of their degrees worth.
Following a regulatory reform, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) now oversees psychology, a legal entity created by the NCAHP Act of 2021. Therefore, the UGC’s Distance Education Bureau (DEB) revoked the approvals previously given to universities for offering psychology degrees via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes.
Healthcare-Linked Specializations Face Stricter Rules Amid Concerns Over Psychology Education Quality: Hindustan Times
According to post of Hindustan times, Only the specialization that has to deal with healthcare will be impacted with many specializations, like a bachelor of arts in Hindi, English, History, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy, or Psychology. Non-healthcare disciplines of similar degree will be excluded.
The decision comes from professional training quality concerns. Satishchandra, former University of Mumbai Psychology Department chairman, remarked, “Psychology demand has increased in the past few years, lead to many both public and private institutions offering it. However, quality of education has declined in certain regions. The move will reduce such practices.”
MU Psychology Department chair Vivek Belhekar remarked, “This is a good step that will benefit huge part of society.” Clinical psychology takes years of practice. According to the Rehabilitation Council of India, we require 2:1 student-teacher ratio. Distance learning cannot provide such training.”
The huge rise of ODL mode of psychology course and their institutions: By India today
Distance-learning psychology courses have grown rapidly. In 2024-25, There are 57 colleges offered ODL psychology programs, up from 17 in 2020-21, according to DEB data. It involves 36 state universities, 11 state open universities, five private colleges, three deemed-to-be universities, and two central universities, Delhi University and Mizoram University.
With 20 and eight state institutions, Telangana and Tamil Nadu provide the most courses. Osmania University in Telangana provides a BA in psychology, economics, and English. According to a post of Indiatoday: More than 1.3 lakh students degree has been compromised by the act.
What UGC said about this Ban?
Manish Joshi, the secretary of the UGC, explained the decision’s effect and purpose:
“From the July–August 2025 academic year onwards, higher educational institutions (HEIs) will not be able to offer any allied and healthcare programs covered by the NCAHP Act, 2021. This includes psychology as a specialization through open and distance learning and online mode.”
He also said that from the beginning of the 2025 academic year on, any recognition that institutions were previously given for giving these programs would be officially revoked away.
Maintaining the academic standards for education and training
The UGC said that the decision was based on remarks made at the 24th meeting of the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) Working Group in April 2025. After that, these suggestions were taken up at a recent UGC commission hearing.
At its foundation, the reason is concern about how well online learning will perform for academic programs that need to:
- Practical training
- Real-life experience
- Evaluation and guidance in person
Online or distance learning cannot effectively provide essential parts of professional education, especially for clinical practice, patient engagement, and laboratory work, officials said.
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An growing number of professional courses that are banned
Since its not the first time, Earlier UGC regulations prohibited ODL and online delivery of multiple professional and skill-based courses. This includes:
| Engineering | Dental |
| Medicine | Physiotherapy |
| Nursing | Paramedical Sciences |
| Applied Arts | Pharmacy |
| Hotel Management | Architecture |
| Agriculture and Horticulture | Catering Technology |
| Visual Arts | Law |
Conclusion
The UGC’s recent decision to prohibit the online/distance education of psychology, nutrition, and healthcare-related courses, highlights a effort for quality and integrity in professional education. Although it may restrict flexibility for some learners, the focus is clearly on practical training, practical experience, and academic rigor—essential elements for healthcare and related sciences.
Both students and institutions must adjust to this regulation change, as India consistently improves its higher education system for future readiness.
Which programs are impacted in this move?
As per the UGC order, higher educational institutions (HEIs) are prohibited from offering the following programs using online or distance learning formats:
| Psychology | Dietetics |
| Clinical Nutrition | Microbiology |
| Healthcare and Allied Health Sciences | Nutrition |
| Food Science | Biotechnology |
What are the reason of Ban on these courses by UGC?
The underlying rationale is the concern over the effectiveness of remote learning for professional courses that require:
Hands-on training
Practical exposure
In-person assessment and mentorship
Nitesh is a seasoned content writer with over five years of experience specializing in educational topics, specially in online degree programs and higher education trends. Nitesh brings a strong academic basic and a passion for making quality articles accessible to all learners Read more .