UGC Guidelines for Pursuing Two Degrees Simultaneously in 2026

The University Grant Commission (UGC) has released comprehensive guidelines for pursuing two academic programs simultaneously in 2022.
"The National Education Policy - NEP 2020 states that pedagogy must evolve to make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible, and, of course, enjoyable. It is an initiative by the UGC to meet the demand for higher education due to the limited no.
of seats in regular colleges. In the following sections, you'll get to know about the comprehensive details of UGC guidelines for dual degrees. Click here for an official notification.

What is UGC?

The University Grants Commission or UGC was established on 28th December 1953 to help universities in India improve their teaching, exams, and research. It became a government-authorized organization in 1956. The current chairman of UGC is Vineet Joshi, who was appointed as an interim chairman in April 2025.

The offices of the UGC are at three locations in Delhi:

• Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in New Delhi
• 35-Feroze Shah Road in New Delhi
• NET Bureau, South Campus of Delhi University, Benito Jhuarez Marg, New Delhi. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) works under the Ministry of Education, which allows the commission to develop higher education in India and also arrange the crucial exams of PhD level under the commission's surveillance. UGC recognition is seen as an important parameter for the universities offering quality education. An approval from this statutory body makes the university globally recognized, as it became government-approved after that. Moreover, to pursue any PhD course and to get eligible for a career as an assistant professor, it is mandatory to qualify for the UGC NET exam. This qualification will help candidates to have an additional crucial achievement for better future opportunities. 

What are dual degree courses?

As the name indicates, it includes pursuing two degrees simultaneously. Now, the questions that will be coming to your mind are:

• Whether these two degrees have to be from the same university or from different universities?
• Do these have to be in the same mode or different modes re allowed?
• Whether this term consider two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, or one bachelor's degree and one master's degree?

All of these questions of yours will be answered in this blog with the specific details released by the UGC regarding the dual degree programs. 

So, starting with the first question, your chosen dual degree courses can be from the same university or from different universities based on your preferences. Coming to the modes of the degrees, yes, they should be different. This is because the very primary requirement that you need to fulfill to be eligible for a dual degree program is that the timing of classes does not clash, which is only possible when you have one degree in the online format and the other in regular format.

The answer to the third question is that you can only enroll in the two degree courses of similar level, that is, either two bachelor's degrees or two master's degrees.
A dual degree covers almost all the fields of courses, whether it is business, technology, engineering, or any arts-related courses. Graduates can pursue any specific career with the additional knowledge they receive from the dual degree. It is very beneficial for individuals who are willing to gain 2 degrees at the same time, which also helps them gain multiple skills for better future opportunities.

Your Turn To Answer!

Ways to Enroll in Dual Degree Programs

Students can pursue dual degree programs in different ways. Below, we have mentioned how you can pursue dual degree programs.
1) One in Regular mode and the Other in Online mode
Students can enroll themselves in one regular mode and another in online mode or open and distance learning (ODL). It also includes the recognition that the online degree must be from the UGC. For Example, if you're pursuing a BA Hons (sub) and BA Journalism, you can pursue one of them in online mode as per your convenience, as it will help you manage your time accordingly.
 

2) Both in Online mode 
If you are unable to pursue a dual degree in regular or distance mode, you can also opt for both degrees in online mode only. The online universities must be recognized by the UGC.

NOTE: Both degree programs are not allowed in the regular modes, as there will be high chances of class overlap, which is not allowed for the dual degree programs.

Objectives by the UGC

• The primary objective is to recognize, identify, and foster the peculiar abilities of the students, strengthening teachers and parents to promote every student's comprehensive development academically and non-academically.  
• There should not be major differences between subjects like science, music, maths, or extra activities. This will also help end harmful hierarchies.
• In a world full of knowledge, everyone is aware of a little bit of everything, such as subjects like science, humanities, sports, etc. Willingness to learn and appreciate the beauty of different cultures. Studying different subjects in a dual degree helps students learn more subjects and cultures. 
• The chance to educate yourself in different specializations helps in character development and ethical and constitutional values, as well as nurtures intellectual curiosity. It's not completely based on academic education; it fosters a scientific mindset and creativity, which are essential for problem-solving and innovation. 
• The dual degree offers a varied range of disciplines, including science, art, language, etc., which makes students experts in overall subjects and creative individuals. 
• In order to live successfully and meaningfully, a dual degree makes students independent economically and mentally. 

Guidelines by UGC

• Students can now pursue two full-time academic programs at the same time with different modes as well (regular, online, distance) with only one condition, timings should not clash or overlap with classes. 
• Students can pursue courses that include one regular and another from an  online and distance mode.
• Institutions offering dual degree programs must be recognized by the UGC. 
• Any degree or diploma programs under these guidelines must follow the rules set by the UGC and any relevant professional or statutory councils, if applicable.
• Institutions offering dual degree programs must be recognized by the UGC. It is needed to ensure that the institutions are officially approved to meet the guidelines.
• The guidelines detailed above are applicable to courses other than Ph.D. or doctoral programs. UGC has a separate set of guidelines for these courses. 

Benefits of Dual Degree Programs

A dual degree is usually known for gaining in-depth knowledge of two programs at the same time, which allows students to study two different subjects with the same recognition. A dual degree also works great as a backup plan by providing opportunities to go for two different domains at the same time, we have mentioned some of the major benefits of pursuing a dual degree.  

• Research Opportunities: Pursuing two degrees comes with a varied range of research opportunities that include projects and presentations with faculty in different subjects. It also helps in the communication and research skills enhancement of students. 
• Personality development: Maintaining workload and studies while pursuing a dual degree enhances the ability of time. It helps students to manage their time in a way that does not affect the studies of two courses.
• Learning experience: Dual programs offer a varied range of learning experiences that include cultural knowledge, social networking opportunities, and career growth. Students must build networks that will provide them with good career growth. 
• Job Opportunities: Having two degrees at an early age will automatically enhance your job opportunities. You'll have a varied range of professional options to pursue. By making an informed decision, students can lead a successful career.

Top Online Universities for Dual Degree Programs

We are aware of the fact that in the fastest-growing world of technology, most of the students want fast learning outcomes, which also raises the need for dual programs in the education system. Pursuing online programs could be beneficial for dual degree students as it does not require any physical appearance on campus.

Students can take classes anytime from anywhere at their convenience and can manage any regular or distance course in the meantime. Online universities provide high-quality educational content and faculty who provide students with good facilities in both aspects. Let’s explore some online universities that are providing dual degree programs. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the guidelines for dual degree programs ensure that the students pursuing this degree learn two completely different courses at the same time, with different modes as well. Students get to learn about different cultures and new ways of learning, and graduate with two different courses recognized by the UGC. The guidelines are only applicable to students pursuing academic programs; it does not include Ph.D. program. As dual degree programs continue to evolve, maintaining these standards will be crucial in showcasing the unique opportunities and benefits they offer, while also protecting the reputation and credibility of the institution.