UGC Changes Rules: Dual Full-Time Simultaneous Degrees Now Become Valid

With the changing environment in the studies and study curriculum, now UGC ( University Grants Commission) has granted the flexibility in pursuing two full-time physical/offline degrees or a diploma programme simultaneously. The catch is that their schedules must not clash during the study. The current revised norm has allowed a combination of the online, offline and distance learning (ODL) courses, this reflects a more advanced and adaptive approach to modern education needs. 

The updated guidelines are approved by the UGC in their 589th meeting, which was held on the 3rd April 2025. This whole decision was formalised via a circular recently issued. The revisions were built upon a dual-degree policy that was first implemented in the year 2022, this offered even larger freedom to the students in shaping their academic journeys.

Key Features of the New Guidelines

• Students can enroll themselves in the two full-time offline coursesor the diploma programs, provided there is no clash in the programs’ schedule.
• A candidate can certainly pursue the full-time offline course with an online or the ODL (online Distance Learning) course.
• Two online or ODL programs can be pursued side by side as far they are granted by the UGC, a statutory body or the Central Government.
• These all exclude the PhD programmes.

UGC has asked every Colleges and Universities to get into these changes to provide a uniform implementation.

Past Dual Degrees

UGC has also provided relief to the students who had previously gained dual degrees before this notification. The provided guideline ensures that the qualifications gained must align with the UGC’s first and Master Degree regulations or the available ODL norms. The clarification from the UGC’s side has put aside the rest of the ambiguities regarding the legitimacy of the simultaneously earned degrees, in return of benefitting the professionals who pursued some of the parallel academic tracks.