With efficient online learning technology having become widespread today, top universities in India offering distance education have become more relevant. With the massive influx of students, more and more universities and colleges have begun to offer distance education courses. This article provides a list of the top distance education universities in India for students to choose from.  

List of Top Universities in India Offering Distance Education

India is playing a major role in distance education throughout the world. It is fast becoming a destination for students worldwide, with its leading-edge universities and institutions. Leading the country's distance education programs are these universities.

 

IGNOU 

Indira Gandhi National Open University or IGNOU, popularly known as the "People's University", is the largest open university in the world. It is extremely well-known for its distance education programs and its dynamic grooming of students, so much so that it was recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Distance Education by the Commonwealth of Learning. It provides undergraduate, postgraduate as well as certificate, and diploma courses.

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Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

SCDL ranks second on the list because of its unique blended learning system, which has made it one of the best distance learning institutions in the country. It offers diploma, postgraduate diploma as well as certificate programs in distance learning. Their virtual classrooms and online faculty chat sessions allow for free, unhindered interaction between them.

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Sikkim Manipal University  

Sikkim Manipal University is renowned for its distance education programs in MBA, BBA, BSc, BCA, MSc, and MCA courses. It is a popular destination for North and North-eastern students of the country and is ranked highly in Asia as a university for distance education. It is ranked 101-150 in the university section by NIRF. 

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IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute

IMT CDL offers a wide spectrum of management courses. Their focus is on continuous innovation and a commitment to practical knowledge. The courses offered here are a two-year distance Post-Graduate Diploma in Management, Fifteen Months Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Executive), and Thirteen Months Postgraduate Certificate in Management. In addition, they offer all specializations like Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, etc.

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Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University

Madhya Pradesh Bhoj university provides long-distance education with a strong focus on rural students. MP Bhoj offers PG Diploma in various disciplines and B.Ed in Open & Distance (ODL) and Special Education. The institute has tie-ups with several colleges like the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management and Rehabilitation Council of India. It has several centers set up in remote, rural areas, hoping to spread education benefits to rural students.

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Dr B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU)

The university offers an Education at Your Doorstep attitude. They have around 205 distance learning centers spread around Andhra Pradesh. This university is unique in that it offers distance learning for law too. Courses in art, science, commerce, and management are provided in addition to law. They also provide for the socially disadvantaged and extremely distant students. 

This university can attract companies such as Digicall Services and Apollo Hospitals. The management courses offer little to no placements because students are generally working professionals themselves. The fees are not as high as other colleges of comparable reputation, and thus affordable for students. 

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Netaji Subhas Open University

This university has a staggeringly good reputation in Kolkata for its distance learning programs. Its social science, humanities, sciences, education, vocational studies, and professional studies are premier open universities in India. It offers distance education to the students in BDP (Bachelor Degree Programme) in Commerce and Arts, Bachelor's Degree Programs in Science, PG Degree Programs in Science (Mathematics), Arts subjects like History and Social work and education courses. 

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University of Delhi (SOL)

Delhi University is an institute that was ranked 4th in Asia for its exceptional faculty, widespread courses, and excellent infrastructure. Its school of open learning is no less. DU SOL offers arts and commerce courses like B.Com, B.A, M.Com, M.A, etc. The school of open learning is set up for students with a lack of time to pursue courses without full-time education. DU's reputation ensures that all SOL students have excellent opportunities for the future. 

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Maharshi Dayanand University

Maharshi Dayanand University offers distance learning through its Directorate of Distance Learning. Their correspondence cell is one of the oldest in India and imparts quality education to students pursuing distance education. The various programs offered by the Directorate are as per the needs of the area and employment opportunities available to the college. 

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 Jamia Millia Islamia's Centre for Distance and Open Learning

Jamia Millia began their venture into distance learning with the Arjun Singh Centre for Distance and Open Learning and has now become one of the best institutions for distance learning in the country. Their Centre for Distance & Open Learning (CDOL) offers courses such as B. Com, B.Ed., BBA, MA, M. Com, and MBA for undergraduates and diploma courses in various fields for postgraduates. Jamia Millia Islamia is one of the world's top universities, ranked 751-800 in the QS Global World Rankings list. 

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Advantages of Distance Education & Online Learning

Distance education and online learning offer many advantages to students nowadays. With the stigma on distance learning vanishing, more and more students are coming to realize the benefits of this method of education, and it has become common for students to pursue correspondence courses. Given below are a few of the advantages of distance education.

• Distance education breaks down geographic barriers. It ensures that students can access the best teachings at any time and any place. 
• Distance education is also advantageous for working professionals, as they do not have to compromise on their jobs. They can pursue both and have their companies fund the fees to boot.
• Distance education also saves time and money. It is best for those who have other demands on their time or cannot afford the sky-high fees of private institutions. 
• Finally, students can learn at their own pace. Distance education offers a more self-directed style of learning than regular classes to the benefit of students.

Relevance of Distance Education Today

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of education worldwide. With the lockdown and the suspension of offline classes, the entire education sector had to shift to an online medium. Many people cannot afford to quit their jobs nowadays with the economy in dire straits. They need a pocket-friendly option that allows them to gain the skills that are needed today. The demand for a more flexible approach to education is thus high. With more and more educational institutions throwing their hats in the ring at this proverbial opportunity, it is fast becoming the educational medium of choice. It is no wonder that these top universities are becoming more relevant these days.