The validity of the Master’s degree in varied healthcare courses offered through distance learning by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has come under scrutiny following recent regulatory developments and updated guidelines from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Reports indicate that under new norms governing healthcare and allied disciplines under NCAHP Act 2021, certain healthcare programs delivered via distance mode may no longer meet the criteria required for professional recognition.
As per the latest guidelines, all higher education institutions were directed to discontinue healthcare and allied programmes delivered through Online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes from the 2025–26 academic session, beginning July–August 2025, last year.
The directive was introduced to ensure that graduates in healthcare and allied fields possess adequate hands-on clinical training, and to prevent individuals without proper practical experience from entering professional practice.
Courses falling under National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021 include:
Psychology
Microbiology
Biotechnology
Food and Nutrition Science
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
Under the new rules, institutions that previously had approval to offer these programmes in distance or online mode were required to discontinue them and must not admit new students from the 2025–26 academic session onward.
Despite the directive, admissions to certain programmes, particularly the MA Psychology course were reportedly conducted even after July 2025, when the new guidelines came into effect.
Classes for the programme began in September 2025, and students have since attended online sessions regularly. Examination schedules for the month of June 2026 have also been issued.
This has led to confusion among students, many of whom were unaware of the regulatory changes at the time of admission. Having already paid fees and completed months of coursework, they now face uncertainty regarding the future validity of their degrees.
Several students have reported that they were not informed about the potential implications of the new UGC guidelines at the time of enrollment.
According to students, attempts to seek clarification through official communication channels have received limited or no response. Local study centres, in many cases, are also reported to be unaware of the regulatory changes.
The official prospectus available on the IGNOU website includes a general advisory stating that candidates should make an “informed decision” before enrolling, but does not explicitly address the implications of the new UGC directive on these specific programmes.
The MA Psychology programme at IGNOU continues to attract significant interest, with approximately 16,000 to 17,000 applicants, according to Registrar (Student Registration Division) V. P. Rupam, according to a report by Times of India.
As per statements attributed to the registrar, students are enrolling in the programme primarily for academic purposes rather than for clinical practice. It has been indicated that since many students may not seek professional registration, the question of regulatory validity may not directly impact their intended use of the degree.
The university has indicated that the courses are expected to continue.
With classes already underway and examinations scheduled, students currently enrolled in these programmes face uncertainty about whether their degrees will be considered valid by the time they complete their studies.
The situation reflects a transitional phase in regulatory policy, where implementation timelines and institutional practices appear to be evolving simultaneously.
(Rh)
