Distance Education Universities with Their Curriculum

Distance education in India has got enormous popularity. Distance education in India is governed by the Distance Education Council, constituted under the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act (1985). Distance education is offered through the regular system, and the open system. The qualification requirements for enrollment in distance education courses are similar to those prescribed for the normal university courses in the regular system. In the open system, distance education courses are open to everyone who may not have any formal qualifications. But some universities ask candidates to attain the age of 18 years for under-gradate and diploma courses and 21 years for postgraduate courses. Enrollment in some distance education courses is based on the performance in the written examination.

Distance education is offered by three types of institutions like Departments of Correspondence Courses in universities and university level institutions, Open Universities exclusively involved in imparting higher education through the distance mode, and a large number of private institutions mostly offering professional courses. Distance education degrees are given to those candidates who have completed their distance education at graduate level, postgraduate level, doctorate level and many certificate, diploma and postgraduate diploma. Distance education is offered by distance education colleges as the study centers of open universities.

There are a large number of distance education universities which are offering distance education courses in India. Some of universities offering distance education in India are;

Indira Gandhi National Open University,
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University,
Karnataka State Open University,
Nalanda Open University,
Netaji Subhas Open University,
Kota Open University,
Vardhman Mahaveer Open University,
UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University,
Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University,
Tamil Nadu Open University,
Yashwant Rao Chavan Open University,
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University,
Ahmedabad, Pt. Sunderlal Sharma OpenUniversity,
Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal Open University
K K Handique State University.

There are many benefits of distance education. It costs lower than regular. The job market is very competitive and the best jobs go to persons possessing mandatory qualifications. In various organizations, promotions of employees depend on the possession of higher qualifications. The distance education courses offer them opportunities to improve their educational qualifications without leaving their current job. Distance education is helpful to those students who live in remote areas and not able to get admitted into regular courses due to high cut offs of eminent colleges and institutes. Distance education is very helpful to housewives, who can utilize their precious leisure time to improve their educational qualifications and employment probable. Any one whether they are working professionals, students or housewives can complete their choice of course without going outside. Study materials are sent to the candidates by post. Most of universities offering distance education courses have their study centers in cities of India. They arrange tutorial classes on weekends at their study centers for their candidates.