The University Grants Commission (UGC) through its Distance Education Bureau (DEB) has made it mandatory from the 2025-26 academic session onwards for every student enrolling in any Open Distance Learning (ODL) or online degree programme to create a DEB ID before completing their admission. This rule applies to all admissions including the ongoing IGNOU July 2026 cycle, state open universities, and private universities offering UGC-approved distance and online degrees across India.
Students who apply without a valid DEB ID will find their admission incomplete and legally invalid under the current UGC-DEB regulatory framework. This is one of the most important compliance updates affecting lakhs of distance and online education students in India today.
What Is a DEB ID and Why Is It Critical
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Distance Education Bureau Identification Number |
| Issued By | UGC Distance Education Bureau |
| Official Portal | @deb.ugc.ac.in |
| Linked To | ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits) at abc.gov.in |
| Mandatory Since | 2025-26 academic session |
| Purpose | Tracks academic credits, ensures degree validity, prevents fake enrolments |
| Without DEB ID | Admission is incomplete and degree may not be recognised |
How to Create Your DEB ID Step by Step
- Step 1: Create your APAAR ID (ABC ID) at @abc.gov.in if you do not already have one. You will need your Aadhaar number and a registered mobile number for this
- Step 2: Visit the official UGC-DEB portal at @deb.ugc.ac.in
- Step 3: Click on New Registration and enter your ABC ID along with personal and academic details
- Step 4: Verify your details and generate your DEB ID number
- Step 5: Enter this DEB ID in your IGNOU, state university, or private university admission form before submitting
Both the APAAR ID and DEB ID are one-time registrations that remain linked to you for all future educational enrolments across India.
How to Verify If Your University Is UGC-DEB Approved
Before paying any fees or submitting any admission form to a distance or online programme, students must verify the institution’s approval status:
- Visit @deb.ugc.ac.in
- Navigate to the “Entitled Universities” or “Approved Institutions” section
- Search for your university by name or state
- Confirm it is listed for ODL mode, online mode, or both
- Verify the academic session for which the approval is valid
Critical Warning: A degree from a university that is not on the UGC-DEB approved list will not be recognised for:
- Central government employment (UPSC, SSC, Railway, Bank recruitment)
- State government jobs
- Higher education admissions at recognised universities
- Competitive examinations requiring valid degree certificates
Which Subjects Are Banned in Distance and Online Mode
As per the latest UGC 2026 guidelines, the following subjects cannot be offered through ODL or online mode because they require mandatory practical and clinical training:
- Medical degrees (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, and all allied health sciences)
- Pharmacy (BPharm, MPharm)
- Engineering practical components
- Paramedical and clinical courses
- Nursing (B.Sc Nursing in clinical mode)
Top UGC-DEB Approved Universities for Distance and Online Degrees in India 2026
| University | Mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| IGNOU | ODL and Online | New Delhi (Pan India) |
| Annamalai University | ODL | Tamil Nadu |
| Osmania University | ODL | Telangana |
| Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) | ODL | Maharashtra |
| Amity University Online | Online | Uttar Pradesh |
| Lovely Professional University | ODL and Online | Punjab |
| NMIMS Global Access School | Online | Maharashtra |
Students who are currently enrolled or planning to enrol in any distance or online degree programme should ensure they create both their APAAR ID and DEB ID before their admission deadline. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete admission regardless of whether all other documents and fee payments are completed.
