Distance Education, Online Education, Online Learning, Distance Learning

Indian Distance Education Scenario

India is home to 17% of the World's total population accommodated in an area, which is 2.4% of the World's total area. As against 2820 languages in the entire world, as many as 325 languages are effectively used in India alone. Local dialects change in India almost after every 8-10 Kms. The country has witnessed phenomenal educational development - both in quantitative and qualitative terms, since independence. However, the national goals of universal elementary education and total eradication of illiteracy have still remained elusive. The Government is committed to achieving these national goals and has been steadily increasing the budgetary allocation for education. The country has also made significant strides in higher and technical education.
India spent 5.02 % of its GDP on education during 2007-2008 but about 40% of its adult population still remains to be made literate.

There has been a considerable increase in the spread of educational institutions during the period 1950-51 and 2007-2008. During this period the number of Primary Schools increased by 3 times, while the Upper Primary' Schools and Higher Secondary Schools increased by 16 and 18 times respectively. The number of Colleges for general education and professional education increased by about 24 and 16 times respectively while the number of Universities increased by 14 times during the period.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA
Education history of ancient India is glorified by the existence of Takshila, Vikramshila and Nalanda Universities when there was no University in any country of Europe. Contribution of Bhaskaracharya and Arya Bhatta to the store of scientific knowledge of the world has also been appreciated by the whole world.

India has one of the largest 'Higher Education System in the world. The main players in the higher education system in the country are:

UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION is a recommendatory body set up by the central government to make suggestions for improvement in the higher education system in the country. It also disburses financial grants as per norms and benchmarks to Universities and Colleges. UGC maintains Universities and Colleges. UGC maintains a list of courses with eligibility and duration that are called “nomenclature”, this has to be adhered to by all Universities while conducting programs and awarding degrees.

UNIVERSITY is an autonomous body established under the state or central legislative act and affiliates a college. Only a University can award a degree but as per the nomenclature of the course recognized by UGC. University does not require any permission from UGC or AICTE before starting a course.

At present three types of universities in India:
(1) Central Universities
(2) State Universities
(3) Deemed to be Universities

COLLEGE is an institution to deliver education and has to be affiliated to a University so as to conduct degree programs. In case of a Professional Degree College, respective professional council approval is required.

AUTONOMOUS COLLEGE is an institute to deliver education with academic and operational freedom.

STUDY CENTRE is an institute to deliver education under the distance education mode and has to be affiliated to a University.

Professional Councils are responsible for recognition of courses, promotion of professional institutions and providing grants to undergraduate program and various awards. The statutory professional councils are:

Central Government is responsible for major policy relating to higher education in the country. It provides grants to the UGC and establishes central universities in the country. The Central Government is also responsible for declaration of Educational Institutions as 'Deemed to be University' on the recommendation of the UGC.

Presently there are Twenty Four (24) Central Universities in the country. In pursuance of the Plan XI, Central Government is planned to establish of 16 Central University in states which have no Central University at present. There are 89 Institutions, which have been declared as Deemed to be Universities by the Govt. of India as per Section of the UGC Act, 1956.
State Governments are responsible for establishment of State Universities and colleges, and provide plan grants for their development and non-plan grants for their maintenance.

The coordination and cooperation between the Union and the States is brought about in the field of education through the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE).

Special Constitutional responsibility of the Central Government: Education is on the 'Concurrent list' subject to Entry 66 in the Union List of the Constitution. This gives exclusive Legislative Power to the Central Govt. for co-ordination and determination of standards in Institutions of higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.