NEW DELHI: Renuka, a 42-year-old school teacher from Bhopal’s Ujjain and a mother of two, was looking to pursue an MA in psychology alongside her job to upgrade her qualifications. Like many working professionals, she turned to IGNOU for its flexibility — and paid around Rs 9,000 as firstyear fees. What she did not know was that the course she applied for had already been barred in distance mode under national norms last year.However, the university continues to admit students to the programme, despite it being discontinued for online and distance learning under UGC directions issued in line with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, which mandates in-person clinical and practical training for such courses.Her case has brought to light an apparent violation of regulatory norms, potentially leaving thousands of applicants in a fix as they may have enrolled in a programme that could ultimately be deemed invalid.Around 17,000 students have applied for the MA psychology course this year, according to officials.Having taken admission in July last year (after the ban), Renuka said she has been attending online classes since Sept, receiving regular communication from the studycentre. “I have already completed assignments and they have even shared the exam schedule for this June,” she said.“I found out through a news report that such courses have been barred in online mode. There are around 190 students in my class. We tried asking the regional centre, but its officials said they had no such information. We also emailed IGNOU, but got no response,” she said, adding, “Now I don’t know whether to even submit my assignments if the degree itself may not be valid.”Last year, UGC directed institutions to halt fresh enrolments in healthcare-related courses requiring clinical and practical training in online and distance modes from the July-Aug 2025 academic cycle — including psychology, nutrition, microbiology and biotechnology — warning that degrees obtained in violation of these norms would be rendered invalid.According to the university’s official admission brochure, applications continue to be invited for these programmes despite the restrictions. The brochure carries a disclaimer stating that under the NCAHP Act, allied and healthcare qualifications arerecognised only if obtained through regular mode, and advises applicants to go through the provisions before taking admission and make an “informed decision”.This year, IGNOU has continued to invite applications to other programmes in disciplines where online and distance offerings are restricted by regulators, including courses in areas like medicine, agriculture and horticulture.The MA psychology programme continues to attract 16,000 to 17,000 applicants each year and remains one of IGNOU’s flagship courses, according to registrar (student registration division) V P Rupam.The decision to continue offering the programme was taken by the university’s Academic Council, he said.“A majority of our students pursue such courses for academic interest and not for clinical practice. The NCAHP regulations apply to professional registration, so the restriction does not fully apply in this context,” Rupam argued, adding, “We have placed a disclaimer so that students can go through the provisions and take an informed decision.”He also pointed out that certain exemptions are available to IGNOU under ODL regulations.On concerns over the degree’s validity for those seeking career opportunities, Rupam acknowledged the issue but said the directive had created “undesirable” constraints for students dependent on distance learning. “You see, because of this directive, such students are now unable to opt for NET, JRF or pursue further qualifications,” he said.Addressing worries over ongoing admissions, he added, “The university will continue to offer the degree to those enrolled last year, and no admissions will be cancelled.”TOI reached out to UGC secretary Manish R Joshi but there was no immediate response.For now, students and applicants are caught in the middle, risking enrolment in a programme that may ultimately be deemed invalid.
