The importance of education in India can’t be underestimated due to the majority of the population below 25 years of age. Due to the large base of population and poverty Education should be easily available at less cost but because of implementation of GST (Goods and Service Tax) the regular higher education has been made costly and the same impact is replicating in Distance Education. Distance Learning is an important part of Indian Education System where youngsters are looking for a job rather than regular education so that they can do the job along with their education to support their family. GST impact on higher education has made Distance Education costly due to increase in the cost of auxiliary services like admission related activities which are mostly outsourced by all Universities and institutions. Earlier these services were exempted but after implementation of GST from July 1, 2017, these services are no longer exempted and because of this impact many universities ha
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has published a notice and sent to 12 stand-alone institutions to get them converted as a university or deemed to be University if they are willing to offer programs through Distance and Online Mode. However in recent Supreme Court order also states that Deemed to be Universities are not allowed to run Distance Learning Course from 2018-2019. Moreover Deemed Universities have been asked to remove the “University” within one month of issuance of the order. UGC has made amendments in the Open and Distance Learning Regulations, 2017 asking Stand-alone institutions offering Certificate, Diploma or PG Diploma to get themselves recognized as per new rules. In a letter, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed these institutes that it has amended the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017. “Certificates or diplomas or postgraduate diplomas awarded by the standalone institutions… shall remain