Is online PhD approved by UGC?

No, an Online PhD is not approved by the Univesity Grants Commission(UGC). It does not allow Indian universities to offer Online PhD programs. All the higher education institutions in India can only offer Full-Time PhD or Part-Time PhD which is offered in blended mode. 

However, top-tier international universities that are approved from the global accreditation bodies offer Online DBA Doctorate in fully online mode. The program is designed for experienced business professionals. This is an online doctoral program that is equivalent to an on-campus PhD in India. The program is highly flexible and accessible to the business professionals. The duration of this online doctorate is 36 months which is much shorter than that of Full-Time PhD and Part-Time PhD. Moreover, it offers a prestigious “Dr” title upon its completion just like a regular PhD program.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India does not provide approval for online PhD programs. A PhD must involve research, engagement with supervisors and the institution, and other academic work, as prescribed by UGC regulations. These are typically conducted in a physical institution, although some components, such as coursework, may be completed online. Ultimately, the research study and evaluation must occur within the physical institution. Hence, UGC does not acknowledge or approve a fully online PhD degree, and candidates pursuing such online degrees will face issues of validity and acceptability in academic and professional settings.