UGC Bans Psychology Degrees via Online & Distance Mode: Here’s Why?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new guidelines declaring that Psychology degrees earned through online or distance learning will no longer be valid. Over 1.3 lakh students who have already enrolled in or graduated from distance/online BA, BSc, MA, and MSc psychology programmes have been affected by the decision. Ever since the announcement made by the UGC, the commission has been inundated with queries and complaints from the students and educational institutions.

UGC states that universities can no longer offer psychology through online and distance modes of education, and the degree awarded under remote learning will be considered invalid from the academic session July-August 2025. Universities halted admission from this year, impacting students who wish to build their careers through a distance degree in Psychology.

Reason Behind UGC’s Ban on Online & Distance Psychology Courses

A significant and long-awaited regulatory shift is transforming the landscape of allied health sciences in India. This change is anchored in the implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, which established the NCAHP as the sole central statutory body for the sector. The University Grants Commission (UGC) is closely aligning its policies with this new framework.

The NCAHP's mandate is to bring uniformity and quality across a diverse set of fields. It now officially regulates crucial disciplines such as Psychology, Behavioral Health Sciences, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, and Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, among others.

Historically, the allied health sciences were largely unregulated across many states, which created a regulatory vacuum. This lack of centralized oversight led to alarmingly variable standards in curriculum and quality, and, critically, facilitated the proliferation of "fake colleges" and illegitimate regulatory agencies.

To combat this, the NCAHP was created to bring order. It immediately set standardized model curricula and took decisive control over the regulation of 10 key allied health professions, including psychology and related behavioral health sciences.

UGC’s Immediate Impact on Allied Health & Psychology Education

The most immediate and significant consequence of this regulatory overhaul has been a major policy decision by the UGC's Distance Education Bureau (DEB).

The DEB has officially withdrawn its approval for all allied health science programmes—including Psychology—that were previously offered via online and distance learning modes. This pivotal decision, which excludes these critical, hands-on disciplines from distance education, was formally ratified during the 592nd UGC meeting on July 23, 2025.

Impact of UGC New Rules on Students and Educational Institutions

The announcement impacts more than 57 universities that offer Psychology degrees through online and distance mode, and over 1.3 Lakhs students who have already graduated or are willing to pursue a Distance Psychology Course. Currently, there are 36 state universities, 11 state open universities, 3 deemed-to-be-universities, 5 private universities, and 2 central universities offering this course. Following the new rules, universities must stop offering BA, MA, BSc, and MSc in Psychology to adhere to UGC guidelines. Degrees awarded after the deadline will be considered invalid and have no use in the professional world, creating uncertainty for the students.

Future Outlook: Will UGC Reconsider Its Decision?

The UGC has urged all the higher educational institutions that offer a Distance Degree in Psychology to comply with new regulations. Meanwhile, the commission has also raised an issue with the Ministry of Education to reconsider the decision and allow the psychology programme through ODL mode. The NCAHP is setting and developing curriculum for regulated professions, overseeing the allied health science sector.

Institutions and students are waiting for the decision of the MoE, awaiting further clarity or alternative pathways. However, the ban on BA, MA, BSc, and MSc Distance Psychology Courses remains firmly in place.

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