13+ List of UGC-Approved Open Universities in India 2024 for Distance Learning

LIST OF TOP STATE OPEN UNIVERSITIES

There are at present 13 State Open Universities set up by the respective state grants. They are single-mode institutions, which means they provide education only in the distance mode.

These universities cater to people who cannot pursue regular courses for various reasons. These Universities are also instrumental in shaping the career growth of already employed learners.

Here is a detailed list of these Universities and the Courses offered by them:

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU)

With a wide network of 206 study centers spread throughout the State of Andhra Pradesh, the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) has created a meaningful difference in the area of Distance Learning.

Formerly known as Andhra Pradesh Open University, it is located on an elevated panoramic site of 53.63 acres in Jubilee Hills in the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

The University, the first of its kind in the country, was brought into being through an act of the Andhra Pradesh State Legislature on August 26, 1982. In 1983, the University started functioning with a modest learner enrolment of 6,321 and 22 Study Centres.

Since then, there has been a steady increase in the intake and the number of Study Centres.

The University has its motto “Education At Your Doorstep”. The University follows a multi-media teaching-learning approach which broadly comprises self-learning print material, supported by audio, and video lessons, and regular broadcast of lessons through All India Radio.

The University offers Undergraduate programs, Post Graduate programs, Diplomas, PG Diplomas, Certificate programs, MPhil in 10 departments, and PhD in 11 departments.

Address- Prof. G. Ram Reddy Marg Road No.46, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033

Contact – Tel: 91-40-23544910
Fax: 91-40-23544830

Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU)

Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU) is a pioneering institution for open learning in Rajasthan. Previously known as Kota Open University, it came into being in 1987 with the amalgamation of two institutes of correspondence courses, viz.

Institute of Correspondence Studies and Continuing Education, Jaipur and College of Correspondence Studies, Udaipur to strengthen and properly coordinate the scattered vast distance education resources.

The major objective of VMOU is to provide educational opportunities to a larger population segment, particularly to disadvantaged groups such as SC/ST, people living in rural and remote areas, women, and in-service people.

The University offers 133 Academic Programmes, which include Ph.D., M.Phil., Post Graduation, Graduation, P.G. Diploma, Diploma, and Certificate Programmes. 86 Study Centres and 21 Regional Centres have been set up in different cities in the State to provide regular information and learning support.

Address- Rawatbhata Road, Akhelgarh, Kota-324010, Rajasthan

Contact – Tel: 91-744-2471254
Fax: 91-744-2470451

Nalanda Open University (NOU)

The Nalanda Open University was established in March 1987 by an Ordinance, promulgated by the Government of Bihar. Nalanda Open University Act, 1995 was passed by the Bihar Legislature, replacing the Ordinance.

It is the only University in the State of Bihar meant for imparting learning exclusively through the system of distance education. The University is named after the famous Nalanda University of ancient India. At present, the University is functioning from its camp office at Patna.

The University has established at its camp office at Patna a well-equipped and fully-automated modem office in an area of approximately 60,000 sq. feet, which houses an examination center for about 1,000 students, a state-of-the-art library with about 500  tides and a computer laboratory of about 300 IBM Pentium-4 computers, apart from administrative offices and other infrastructure facilities.

The University is recognized by the Distance Education Council (DEC), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Ministry of HRD, Government of India for imparting education through distance mode.

The University aims to provide educational opportunities to those who are unable to take up formal education and are still desirous to upgrade their educational qualifications and acquire knowledge in various fields of learning through the print medium (correspondence course), contact programs, study centres, and mass media. At present, there are 10 schools operational under Nalanda Open University which offer Undergraduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma, and Certificate programs.

Address- IIIrd Floor, Biscomaun Bhawan, West Gandhi Maidan, Patna – 800001, Bihar

Contact – Tel: 91-612-2201013
Fax: 0612 2201001

Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU)

The State of Maharashtra has a long and rich tradition of educational reforms. It was, therefore, appropriate that the State realized the need for an open university.

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) was established in July 1989. It is the fifth Open University in the country. The University offers several off-line programs and has also embarked on some innovative online initiatives.

The YCMOU has its headquarters in Nashik and provides support to its learners through Study Centres, which are spread all over the State of Maharashtra. The University witnessed a technological leap with the launching of EduSat-based education, supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The University has established several Virtual Learning. Centres (VLC) in the State, each having full-fledged two-way audio and video communication facilities. The University offers a wide range of programs from the short-term certificate level up to the research and doctoral level.

These programs cover diverse academic disciplines and are coordinated by the eight academic schools of the University.

The University currently offers 200+ different academic programs comprising several hundred courses (subjects). Every year, on average, 1,50,000 new students are registered for the various programs.

The cumulative enrolment, as it stands today, is more than 29,00,000 students. 11 Regional Centres and over 30 multi-program Study Centres provide various academic and student support services to these students. If one considers the program-wise Study Centres, the number is more than 4,500.

These Study Centres are distributed all over the State of Maharashtra, having an area of about 3 lakh sq. km (about 800 km north-south & 600 km east-west). The university also takes all precautions, at all program stages from ‘Curriculum Design’ to ‘Examination’, to ensure that the standards and quality of education and examinations are preserved.

The massive volume of the distance learning system handled by the University and its overall scale of operations and achievements have contributed to YCMOU being enlisted as one of the Mega Open Universities of the world.

Website – Dnyanagangotri, Near Gangapur Dam, Nashik-422222, Maharashtra

Contact – Tel: 91-253-2231714, 2231715
Fax: 91-253-2231716

IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University)

The national open University Indira Gandhi, called IGNOU, is a central university located in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India. Named in honor of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a £ 20 million budget after the Indian Parliament passed the National Open University Act of 1985 Indira Gandhi (1985 IGNOU law).

IGNOU is managed by the central government of India and, with a total of more than 4 million students, claims to be the largest university in the world.

IGNOU was created to serve the Indian population through distance and open education, offering higher education opportunities to all segments of society. It also aims to encourage, coordinate and set standards for open and distance education open in India and to strengthen India’s human resources through education.

In addition to teaching and research, extension and training form the backbone of its academic activities. It also serves as a national resource center and serves to promote and maintain distance learning standards in India.

IGNOU hosts the secretariats of the SAARC Consortium on Open and Distance Learning (SACODiL) and the Global Network of Mega Universities (GMUNET), initially funded by UNESCO.

IGNOU has started a process of decentralization by creating five zones; north, south, east, west, and northeast. The first of the regional headquarters, serving four southern states, Pondicherry, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep, is being set up in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Open and distance learning and online courses for IGNOU.

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Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (MPBOU)

Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University is named to honor the illustrious king Raja Bhoj Deva, a great patron of learning. Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (MPBOU) was established under an Act of State Assembly in 1991 widi its headquarters situated at Bhopal. The National Policy of Education (NPE) 1986 emphasized that distance education is an important medium for the development and promotion of higher education.

In this context, for the expansion and promotion of distance education, the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), Government of India took an important decision that in the 8th Five-Year plan every State should establish a State Open University following the distance education pattern. On this basis, Madhya

Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (MPBOU) was established. One of the important objectives of the University is the extension and expansion of Higher Education by reaching the unreached through flexible means suited to the open and distance education mode using emerging Information and Communication Technology.

Given this objective maximum study centers of MPBOU are in those areas where there is no other system of higher education in the vicinity of 30 km. The University also gives due emphasis to special target groups of learners coming from rural/tribal areas and those suffering from physical disabilities.

The MPBOU has an enrolment of 1.5 lakh students and it is the second-largest Open University in the country. Eleven Regional Centres and one Sub-Regional Centre of the University are located at Bhopal, Bilaspur, Durg, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Jagdalpur (Bastar), Raipur, Sagar, Ujjain, Rewa, and Satna and serve as the regional link centers for the delivery of the university programs through over 1049 Study Centres.

These Study Centres are located in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and major cities of the country. The University offers 85 Academic Programmes including Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma Certificate programs, M.Phil and Ph.D.

Address – I.T.I (Gas Rahat), Building Govindpura, Bhopal – 462 023

Contact – Tel: 0755 2784102, 5272017
Fax: 91-755- 2600704

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU)

The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) is the seventh Open University in the country in terms of its establishment. It was established by Act No. 14of 1994 passed by the Gujarat State Legislature and assented to by the Governor of Gujarat on July 27, 1994. The University offers 72 programs with an enrolment of more than 1,00,000 learners.

The headquarters of the University is located in Ahmedabad. The University has established Regional Centre on the campus of South Gujarat University, Rajkot, and has initiated the process of establishing another Regional Centre on the campus of North Gujarat University, Patan.

The University has more than 507 Study Centres. It has jurisdiction over the whole State of Gujarat. It is open to all persons irrespective of classes, castes, creeds, religions, or sex.

The various courses offered by the University are—Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP), Certificate Courses, Diploma Courses, PG Diploma Courses, Under-Graduate Courses, PG Courses, Joint Programme with IHTM, Vocational & Professional course, B.Ed. and Ph.D.

Along with the 4 existing schools, i.e the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Education, School of Commerce & Management and School of Computer Science, two new schools, i.e., School of Science and School of Agriculture, will be started. The Academic Planning Board and Board of Management have already approved.

The University would soon launch the BAOU Journal of Distance Education. The University has decided to establish Gujarat Gyan Kendra and Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Study and Research Centre. The University is well on its course to provide opportunities for higher education to a large segment of the population and generally promote the educational well-being of the community.

Address- Manasagangotri, Mysore – 570006, Karnataka

Contact – Tel: 91-821-2515149
Fax: 91-821-2500846
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is considered to be a reputed Open University amongst the open learning institutions in the country. It was established in June 1996. It is situated at the North-western end of the Manasagangotri campus, Mysore. During 2009-10, the student enrolment in the University crossed 1 lakh.

The Programmes offered by the Karnataka State Open University range from traditional programs to professional and technical programs. Unique programs include pre-school education, agriculture, theatre, handicrafts, information technology, aviation, health science, hospitality management, creative teaching, teacher education, fine arts, and other management areas.

The Karnataka State Open University has been recognized by the following well-known organizations: It is a regular member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Delhi. Permanent member of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) London, UK;

Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), Beijing, China. It also has an association with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

The Act also authorises the University to launch the programs through collaborative arrangements. The University also launched MBA-Online education during 2010-11, so that, it will help impart quality education to the management clientele in. various parts of the world.

The University encourages the students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by way of Fee Reimbursement under SC/ST government scholarships. It also encourages the students of economically weaker sections under the “Mukta Sanjivni” Scholarship program. The University offers Undergraduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma Certificate programs, M.Phil, Ph.D., Online programs and IGNOU-adopted programs.

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Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU)

The Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) is tasked with realizing its vision ‘to reach the unreached. It is the premier State Open University in India. It was established by the West Bengal Act (XIX) of 1997 in the birth centenary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and is recognized by UGC.

The University started functioning with effect from July 1998 Semester, only with the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Arts & Commerce to provide an opportunity of higher education in the vernacular medium to various disadvantaged groups of aspiring learners. It is the tenth Open University in the country and the ninth State Open University.

The University has attained the status of Mega University, with more than 2,50,000 learners in more than 72 courses and 120 Study Centres. The University functions from its six campuses.

The University’s Academic Programme includes Ph.D., Bachelor Degree Programme (BDP), Second Degree Programme (SDP), Post Graduate Degree Programme, Certificate Course, Diploma Courses, Post Graduate Diploma, Professional Courses, Innovative and Vocational Courses, and Preparatory Courses.

Address- 1, Woodburn Park, Kolkata -700020, West Bengal

Contact – Tel: 91-33-22835157
Fax: 91-33-22835052

UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU)

Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University is a public university located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The university is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, or sex and its jurisdiction is all of Uttar Pradesh.

As the State is vast, geographically, the University has established five Regional Centres to cater to the needs of their respective regions. The UPRTOU, Allahabad was established under Act No. 10/1999 passed by UP Legislature and assented to by the Governor of UP on March 24, 1999.

The University was named after Bharat Ratna Rajarshi Purusottam Das Tandon, an illustrious son of mother India, who made great sacrifices for the sake of our independence and dedicated himself to the cause of Hindi as a national language. The University has carved for itself a special place among the premier academic institutions of distance mode of higher education.

It has witnessed very rapid expansion in various spheres of its activities. Presently, the University offers more than 90 programs with its headquarters located at Allahabad and a network of five Regional Centres, more than 400 Study Centres across the State of Uttar Pradesh.

The University has brought higher education within the reach of a large segment of the urban and rural population. The degrees, diplomas, and other programs offered by the University are duly recognized by the joint committee of UGC, AICTE, and DEC.

The University has 8 Schools of Study i.e. School of Management Studies; School of Computer and Information Sciences; School of Education; School of Humanities; School of Social Sciences; School of Sciences; School of Health Sciences and School of Agriculture Sciences.

It offers Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma, Certificate programs, and various Awareness programs.

Address – 17, Maharshi Dayanand Marg (Thornhill Road), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Contact – Tel: 91-532-2621840, 2623250
Fax: 91-532-2624368

Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU)

The Government of Tamil Nadu to benefit those, who have been deprived of and/or denied access to higher education, especially destitute, physically challenged, working men

and women, economically weaker sections of the society, and those who discontinued education for various reasons, etc. planned to take the first step towards providing Distance Learning. As a result, Tamil Nadu Open University was established in 2002 by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The University has also been recognized internationally and is a member of the South Asian Foundation and Asian Association of Open Universities. Launching all programs in Tamil, designing, developing, and printing all its study materials, and producing its own educational audio/ video cassettes are also in the offing.

The University has also established 334 Information Centres at Taluk levels to enable those longing for but forced to remain away from the folds of Higher Education. The University has 13 Schools of Study i.e. School of Management Studies; School of Humanities; School of Social Sciences; School of Education; School of Continuing Education; School of Sciences; School of Special Education and Rehabilitation; School of Health Sciences; School of Computer Sciences; School of Criminology; School of History and Tourism Studies; School of New Media Studies and School of Politics and Public Administration.

The Programmes offered are—Professional Programmes; Post- Graduate Programmes; Under-Graduate Programmes; Diploma Programmes; Certificate Programmes; Vocational Educational Programmes; B.Ed. Programs and Catering and Hotel Administration Programmes.

Website – Directorate of Technical Education Campus, Guindy, Chennai-600 025

Contact: 044-22351414
Fax: 044 2220 0601

Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Open University (PSSOU)

The Chhattisgarh Legislature established Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Open University in the 55th year of the Republic of India. The purpose behind setting up Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Open University (PSSOU) is aiming at educating more and more people belonging to rural areas, socially, economically backward, and to those who have craving for education but cannot manage

to go far in distant big cities. The University operates in the entire region of Chhattisgarh. It is the 11th State Open University.

The university is structured into 7 faculties i.e. Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Science, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Computer Science (DCA, PGDCA, and BCA Programme), and Faculty of Yoga, Jyotish, and Vastu.

Regional centers were established at Bilaspur, Raipur, Ambikapur, and Jagdalpur. The University offers Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma Certificate programs, M.Phil, and Ph.D. Programs.

Website – Near Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park, Vayapar Vihar, Bilaspur (Chattisgarh) -495001

Contact Details – Phone No: 07752 – 514255
Telefax : (0771) 2221259

Uttarakhand Open University (UOU)

Uttarakhand Open University is the 12th State Open University set up at Haldwani, Nainital in Uttarakhand. The objective behind setting up Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) was to cater to the educational needs of the target groups through the open systems of learning and create a skilled and knowledge-based human resource for speedy uplift and development of the State in particular.

Uttarakhand Open University was established by an Act of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on October 31, 2005 (Act No. 23 of 2005), as the newly formed Uttarakhand State’s first and only Open University.

The University operates through a network of eight Regional Centres and more than 300 Study Centres across the State. Education and training are being imparted through various means of communication that include study material,

The University operates through a network of eight Regional Centres and more than 300 Study Centres across the State. The education and training are being imparted through various means of communication, including study material, counselling, workshops, seminars, contact programs, or a combination of any two or more. The study material is designed in self-learning mode which makes distance learning effective.

To strengthen the learning process, practical training is also conducted. In some of the programs, blended mode of distance and conventional learning is being used. As the Act mandates, the University is also setting up colleges in specialized areas. The University offers courses under 13 Schools of Study i.e.

School of Social Science, School of Management Studies & Commerce, School of Tourism & Hotel Management, School of Agriculture & Development Studies, School of Health Sciences, School of Education, School of Computer Sciences & Information Technology, School of Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Journalism & Media Studies, School of Library & Information Sciences, School of Law and School of Vocational Studies. It offers Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Diploma, PG Diploma Certificate programs, M.Phil, and Ph.D. Programs.

Website – Teenpani Bypass Road, Transport Nagar, Haldwani-263139, Distt. Nainital, Uttarakhand

Contact – Tel: +91 5946 261122, +91 5946 261123
Fax: +91 5946 264232
Toll-Free No.18001804025

Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU)

Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University was established to provide quality higher education through open and distance learning mode to reach the unreached sections of society. It is the first of its kind in the entire North-East and fourteenth amongst the Open Universities in India. It was established in 1995, with its headquarters in Guwahati, Assam.

The Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP) is the first academic program that was introduced by the University in 2008. This program was introduced for those learners who could not pursue higher education for various reasons.

The number of Study Centres under this University has witnessed a giant leap, having increased to 220 since its inception when the number of Study Centres was 79. The course structures of the university have been designed on a par with the national curriculum.

Along with the traditional programs, the University offers various professional Certificate and Diploma programs to enable the already-enrolled students in various colleges and educational institutions of the State to pursue add-on studies simultaneously with their regular courses.

The programs of the University are so designed that they can spread education to all the learners of the region. The University has been offering several academic programs.

The university currently offers around 40 academic programs in humanities, Science, Social sciences, and professional areas, such as — Ph. D., Master’s, bachelor’s degree, BPP, Diploma, and Certificate program. The University also provides various vocational training courses.

The programs of the University are so designed that they can spread education to all the region’s learners. The University has been offering several academic programs. The university currently offers around 40 academic programs in humanities, Science, Social sciences, and professional areas, such as — Ph. D., Master’s, bachelor’s degree, BPP, Diploma, and Certificate program. The University also provides various vocational training courses.

There are at present 13 State Open Universities set up by the respective state grants (as per details below), are single-mode institutions, which means they provide education only in the distance mode. These universities cater to people who cannot pursue regular courses for various reasons. These Universities are also instrumental in shaping the career growth of already employed learners.

Address- Housed Complex, Last Gate, Dispur, Guwahati – 781006, Assam

Contact Number – Ph. No: (0361) 2235971, 2235642
Fax: (0361) 2235398

A step-by-step guide to a typical Open University Course

• Choose your (courses work like modules)
• Register and pay – you could be eligible for help with fees
• Your course materials delivered
• You will have access to a course website and can contact your tutor and other students on your
• You study in your own time at home, at work, or on the move
• Your tutor may organize a tutorial so that you can meet other students
• Submit your assignments when they are due. Your tutor will send you feedback
• Some students organize informal study groups to support each other
• Your course may have an online alternative
• All your assignments are complete, and then, it is time to revise
• Complete your end-of-course assessment or take your examination
• Now, it is a good time to start thinking about your next course
• You have passed!
• Choose and register for your next