Setback for Indian Psychology Learners: UGC Bans all Online/ODL Allied Healthcare Programs

Aspiring psychologists, take note! UGC has banned online and ODL programs for psychology and allied healthcare from August 2025 onwards.

In a significant move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited higher education institutions (HEIs) from offering programs in psychology and other allied healthcare disciplines through online or Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes. This decision, which was made during the 592nd Commission meeting on July 23, 2025, will be effective from the academic session of July-August 2025 onwards.

The UGC's decision is based on recommendations from the 24th DEB Working Group (DWG). The ban applies to all allied and healthcare programs covered under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act of 2021. According to the UGC notice, all HEIs are now prohibited from admitting students into these programs.

For institutions that have already received approval to offer such programs for the July-August 2025 session, the UGC will be withdrawing that recognition. In cases where a program has multiple specializations—such as a Bachelor of Arts with specializations in subjects like English, History, Psychology, and Sociology—only the specializations that fall under the NCAHP Act, such as Psychology, will have their recognition withdrawn.

All stakeholders, including students and HEIs, have been requested to take note of and comply with this decision. The notification was signed by UGC Secretary Prof. Manish R. Joshi. A copy of the notification is reproduced below. You may click on the image to download the PDF from the official UGC site.

Please Note: Considering IGNOU's complicated status as an independent university outside of the purview of UGC regulations, technically the notification does not seem to be applicable to it. However, it is advisable to not assume anything and wait for an official notification from IGNOU itself regarding the future of its allied healthcare programs like BAPCH, MAPC, PGDCFT, MSCCFT, PGDMH etc.