Lok Sabha Question No. 3472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-16
Subject: Distance Learning through Digital Means
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## No.F.9-3/2020-DL Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Higher Education DL Division

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Subject: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †3472 regarding Distance Learning  through  Digital  Means  asked  by  Shri  Mitesh  Rameshbhai  Patel (Bakabhai) to be put up for answer on 16.03.2020--reg.

This  relates  to  a  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  question  No.  †3472  regarding  Distance Learning through Digital Means asked by Shri Mitesh Rameshbhai Patel (Bakabhai)  to  be  put  up  for  answer  on  16.03.2020.    The  printed  version  of  the Question may kindly be seen at Page.1/cor. The text of the Question is reproduced below:

- (a) the steps being taken to introduce distance learning in hotel management and other courses through digital means; and
- (b) the opinions of the States and experts in this regard?
2. In  this  regard,  it  is  mentioned  that  a  similar  question  has  already  been answered in the Lok Sabha (Q. No. 226) on 03.02.2020 which may kindly be seen at Page. 2/cor. We may reply to the recent LS Q.No. 3472 on similar lines as reply already given  in  the  Lok  Sabha  (Q  No.  226)  earlier.  If  approved,  a  draft  reply  is placed below for kind consideration and approval of Hon'ble HRM, please.

(B.K. Bhadri) DEA (DL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3472 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2020

## Distance Learning through Digital Means

†3472. SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken to introduce distance learning in hotel management and other courses through digital means; and

(b) the opinions of the States and experts in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) & (b):University Grants Commission (UGC) is the regulatory authority to deal with the Open and Distance Learning in Higher education system of the country and accordingly, notified UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017.  These regulations, inter-alia , under clause (p) of sub-Regulation (2) of Part-I states that

' Professional programmes' means a programme other than programmes in engineering, medicine,  dental,  pharmacy,  nursing,  architecture,  physiotherapy  and  programmes  not permitted  to  be  offered  in  distance  mode  by  any  Statutory  Councils  or  Regulatory Authorities  to  be  conducted  by  the  Higher  Educational  Institutions  under  Open  and Distance Learning  mode  or  Distance  Education  mode  for  the purpose  of these regulations, if any, should be considered only if the same are approved by the respective Statutory Councils or Regulatory Authorities '

Further, AICTE based on the recommendations of its Expert Committee constituted on Technical Education through Open and Distance  education  mode inter-alia recommended that only  those  programmes  which  do  not  involve  extensive  practical  course  work  shall be permissible through the distance education mode.   Accordingly, AICTE as per its extant policy has  not  given  recognition  to  the  qualifications  acquired  through  distance  mode  at  Diploma, Bachelors and Masters Level in the field of Hotel Management and other Technical courses.

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