SC restrains all 'Deemed to be Universities' from offering distance education courses without permission

The Supreme Court on Friday restrained all 'Deemed to be Universities' from offering distance education courses without permission.

A Bench of Justices, AK Goel and UU Lalit, has restrained 'Deemed to be Universities' from carrying on any courses in distance education mode from the Academic Session 2018- 2019 onwards unless specific permissions are granted by the concerned statutory/regulatory authorities for the same.

The approvals, however, have to be course specific.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is further directed to take appropriate steps and restrain Deemed to be Universities from using the word 'University' within one month from today.

The Union of India may constitute a three members Committee to suggest oversight mechanism to regulate the Deemed to be Universities.

The apex court was hearing a batch of appeals against the decisions of Orissa High Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court.