Ugc dual degree new rule: The UGC has ended the obligation to get two degrees at a time by giving great relief to millions of students. After amending the rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC), both the degrees received in the same academic session will be valid, whether they are in regular or distance mode. This rule will also apply to degrees obtained before 2022.
UGC’s new guidelines
The UGC amended its guidelines in 2025 and announced that two degrees taken in the same academic session would now be completely valid. Previously, there was confusion on the validity of taking a regular and a distance degree together and in many cases it was not recognized. This decision will provide special benefits to those students who want to complete two academic programs simultaneously.
Only these students will get the benefit of dual degree
According to the new rule, students can get both degrees in regular mode, provided the time of classes or one degree in regular mode and another in Open and distance learning (ODL) or online mode or in online mode or both degrees in distance or online mode. Although this rule is applicable to Diploma, Graduation (UG) and Post Graduation (PG), it is not applicable to PhD and MPhil programs.
Necessary notification of UGC-
Earlier UGC Rules
Earlier the UGC rules were strict and there was a lack of clarity with two degrees simultaneously. The UGC formed a committee in 2012, which suggested that only an additional diploma or certificate course with a regular degree can be taken in distance mode. Two regular degrees were not allowed to be taken simultaneously, as it could cause administrative and educational problems.
In 2020, UGC first allowed that one degree with a regular degree can be taken in distance or online mode. However, both degrees were not allowed to be taken into regular mode.
Then in 2022, UGC relaxed the rules under NEP 2020 and allowed students to take two regular degrees simultaneously, provided the time of classes did not hit. But by that time it was not clear whether the two degrees taken before 2022 would be valid or not.
Recognition of earlier degrees
The new guidelines have taken an important step to recognize the two degrees of earlier. Now the degrees of students taking a regular and a distance degree will now be considered valid before 2022. This is a news of relief for those who were having trouble with recognition in jobs or further studies.
This new guideline of UGC is a revolutionary step in Indian higher education, which will help students achieve their educational and career. The decision to recognize degrees before 2022 is a huge relief. For more information, students can visit the official website of UGC ugc.ac.in.