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The Government of India has envisaged a greater role for the Open and the Distance Education System. The envisioned role may be fulfilled by recognizing and treating the Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates awarded through distance mode at par with the corresponding awards of Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates obtained through the formal system of education. Open and Distance Education System in the country is contributing a lot in expansion of Higher Education and for achieving target of Gross Enrolment Ratio, without compromising on quality. Non recognition/non equivalence of degrees of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions for the purpose of promotion/employment and pursuing higher education may prove a deterrent to many aspiring students and will ultimately defeat the purpose of Open and Distance Education. Accordingly, the Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates awarded for programmes conducted by the ODL institutions, recognized by the erstwhile DEC/UGC, in conformity with UGC Notification on Specification of Degrees should be treated as equivalent to the corresponding awards of the Degree/Diploma/ Certificate of the traditional Universities/Institutions in the country. UGC has notified UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2077 in the official Gazette on 2310612017. As per UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2OI7 under Part-l (2)(p), the programmes in engineering, medicine, dental, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy and such other programmes which require hands-on training are not permitted to be offered under Open and Distance Learning mode.