Calicut University seeks amendment to open varsity Act to resume distance courses

The University of Calicut has formally requested the Kerala Higher Education department to amend provisions of the Sreenarayanaguru Open University (SNGOU) Act, 2021, to enable it to restart open and distance learning (ODL) programmes.

Registrar C.D. Sebastian recently wrote to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, highlighting the demand. The move follows a resolution passed by the university’s Syndicate on July 9, 2026, to seek government permission to conduct distance education programmes.

In the letter, Mr. Sebastian noted that the university’s ODL programmes had the approval of the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, after the State government established SNGOU in 2021, an order was issued restricting other universities from conducting distance education and private registration courses under sections 47(2) and 72 of the Act. As a result, the University of Calicut could not admit students to its UGC-approved ODL programmes.

This has hit the academic prospects of many students in the university’s jurisdiction, covering Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad districts. Mr. Sebastian pointed out that even after the university reduced its ODL offerings over the years before completely stopping them, thousands of students had taken admissions in these programmes.

He also said many students are now denied the opportunity to pursue higher education in a university close to their native places. Various organisations, people’s representatives, and students have been demanding the resumption of ODL courses. Though the Syndicate had passed a similar resolution on August 26, 2023, and representations were sent to the government on September 16, 2023, and April 30, 2026, they did not receive a positive response. Mr. Sebastian urged the government to suitably amend sections 47(2) and 72 and allow the university to conduct ODL programmes, subject to DEB approval. Official sources said the department has responded positively to the demand.

Admission figures show the popularity of these programmes. In 2016-17, when 15 undergraduate (UG) and 12 postgraduate (PG) courses were offered, 47,681 students enrolled. The next year, there were 44,331 students. In 2018-19, with 14 UG and 12 PG courses, 50,476 students took admissions. In 2019-20, when the number of PG courses rose to 13, total admissions reached 53,531. In 2020-21, with 15 UG and 13 PG courses, 33,570 students enrolled. The following year, when courses were reduced to 13 each, 32,524 students took admissions. In 2022-23, only eight UG and 11 PG courses were offered, and 28,479 students enrolled. In 2023-24, the figures dropped to four UG and nine PG courses, with 22,867 students taking admissions.

Meanwhile, a section of Pro-United Democratic Front Syndicate members has urged Higher Education Minister Roji M. John to consider the demand. T.K. Martin, Madhu Ramanattukara, Jaison Joseph, Lakshmi R. Chandran, and T.M. Vasudevan recently met the Minister on the sidelines of an official meeting in the State capital. The university has set aside ₹10 crore in its budget for the expansion of distance learning programmes. Though the university has launched several online courses under its Centre for Distance and Online Education, admissions are reportedly not as expected.