Centre for Open & Distance Education (CODE)

Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

A Central University

Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand

• Notification No. 77 (Establishment of 'Centre for Open and Distance Education' CODE of the HNB Garhwal University)
• Office Order No. 78 (Assigned Additional Responsibility in CODE)

1. Background and Context

Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU) was founded on December 1, 1973 as Garhwal University, born out of a grassroots movement for accessible higher education in Uttarakhand. Renamed in 1989 to honour Shri Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, and upgraded to a Central University, in 2009, it has grown into a premier national institution.

With its headquarters in Srinagar (Garhwal) and three campuses—Birla Campus (Srinagar with Chauras extension), BGR Campus (Pauri), and SRT Campus (Tehri)—along with more than 50 affiliated colleges, the University serves seven districts (Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli) of the Garhwal region. Its geographical spread across hilly and difficult areas makes it an ideal institution to take forward the vision of NEP 2020 for inclusivity and equity in higher education.

The University runs 51 departments under 11 schools, offering 14 UG, 59 PG, 2 Integrated, 4 PG Diploma, 4 Diploma programmes, and Ph.D. in 48 disciplines in regular mode. It also offers region-specific courses addressing Himalayan socioeconomic and ecological needs.

Set in the Himalayan foothills, HNB Garhwal University blends tradition and innovation, fostering academic excellence, sustainable thinking, and community development while attracting scholars from across the India and abroad.

The UGC (Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 (with amendments) permits Central Universities with valid NAAC accreditation to offer programmes in the ODL mode. In this context, HNBGU proposes to establish the Centre of Open Learning and Distance Education (CODE) to expand access to the aspirants of higher education, especially for underserved learners in remote and difficult Himalayan regions and working professionals.

Importantly, in its initial phase, the Centre (CODE) will use existing human resources, existing building space, and ICT facilities, thereby ensuring financial prudence.

 Vision & Mission

• To provide inclusive education for learners in remote and underserved regions.
• To implement NEP 2020 reforms through multidisciplinary UG and Diploma programmes with flexible entry–exit.
• To enhance employability through skill-oriented and lifelong learning programmes.
• To increase accessibility of higher education to its aspirants and to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).

 2. Objectives

The following are the key objectives underpinning the proposal for initiating Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University:

1. To expand equitable access to learners for quality higher education through ODL.
2. To offer flexible, multidisciplinary, and skill-based learning pathways aligned with NEP 2020.
3. To provide opportunities for lifelong learning, vocational education, and employability.
4. To ensure compliance with UGC-DEB guidelines, maintain academic quality and learner support systems.
5. To establish a financially self-sustaining model through programme revenues.
6. To facilitate and ease student access for pursuing two degrees simultaneously.

3. Governance Structure

The governance structure for the running the proposed ODL programmes in the HNB Garhwal University is as follows:

• Director (Professor, additional charge initially),
• Joint/Deputy Director (Academic/Administration, from existing faculty/officials),
• Programme Coordinators (drawn from faculty of respective departments),
• Administrative Support Staff (redeployed from existing establishment/ outsource),
• ICT & LMS Support (University ICT Cell).

A Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) will be constituted as per the guidelines of UGC-DEB to oversee policy, programme approvals, and quality monitoring.

 Compliance with UGC-DEB Guidelines

• Programmes: 09 Undergraduate (B.A. & B. Com.) & 01 PG Programme (MBA)
• Approval process through the Academic Council, Executive Council, and UGC-DEB.
• Development of Self-Learning Material (SLM) in print & digital formats.
• Establishment of Learning Management System (LMS) and Student Support Centres.
• Annual academic audit and submission of reports to UGC-DEB.
• Commitment to achieve NAAC/AQAR recognition within 5 years.

 4. Academic Programmes (Phase I – NEP 2020 Framework)

4.1 Undergraduate/Post Graduate Degree Programmes

(All aligned to NEP 2020’s Four-Year UG Framework with multiple exit options; flexible credit-based system)

Programme(s) to be offered

No. of ProgramsProposed– 09

Programme Category	Duration & Structure	No. of Programmes	Major Subject / Discipline
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with Major and Minor (as per NEP 2020)	3-Year Undergraduate Degree Programme & 4th Year Honours Degree	Seven (07) Four-Year Undergraduate Degree Programmes	Sociology Economics History Political Science Hindi English Sanskrit
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) (as per NEP 2020)	3-Year Undergraduate Degree Programme & 4th Year Honours Degree	One (01) Undergraduate Degree Programme	Commerce
Master of Business Administration (MBA) (as per NEP 2020)	Postgraduate Degree Programme	One (01) Postgraduate Degree Programme	MBA

PPR, Programme Structure and Sample SLM

S.No	Name of Programme	Content	Link
I	MBA (Two Year Programme)	PPR	https://acesse.one/e2hb11d
		Programme structure	https://l1nk.dev/qylhriq
		Sample SLM	https://l1nk.dev/4xpmsi8
II	B. Com (Honours/Honours with Research)-FYUP	PPR	https://l1nk.dev/oo4wfq3
		Programme structure	https://acesse.one/53q2h2d
		Sample SLM	https://acesse.one/1fe26m5
III	B.A (Honours/Honours with Research)-FYUP	Programme structure	https://acesse.one/iv3w2bf
	Economics	Sample SLM	https://l1nk.dev/lz7ey4n
		PPR	https://acesse.one/4hrsxp5
	Sociology	Sample SLM	https://acesse.one/gifvifj
		PPR	https://acesse.one/r85tmh6
	Political Science	Sample SLM	https://acesse.one/kz7g7yc
		PPR	https://l1nk.dev/yspjeqb
	English	Sample SLM	https://acesse.one/9i4y47o
		PPR	https://l1nk.dev/hqpbrc4
	History	Sample SLM	https://acesse.one/7a0y36w
		PPR	https://acesse.one/4fakeb8
	Hindi	Sample SLM	https://l1nk.dev/37675yh
		PPR	https://acesse.one/2gt2qfs
	Sanskrit	Sample SLM	https://l1nk.dev/kniofv7
		PPR	https://acesse.one/jh9k16c
	Common Course for all B.A Programmes	Structure	https://l1nk.dev/d95o36k
		Sample SLM	https://l1nk.dev/drtdc00

 

4.2 Programme: Duration, Entry Requirements and Medium of Instruction

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Programme

The B.A. Programme shall be offered under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) framework in accordance with the provisions of NEP-2020. The programme provides multiple entry and exit options as follows:

• After completion of the First Year: Undergraduate Certificate
• After completion of the Second Year: Undergraduate Diploma
• After successful completion of the Third Year: Bachelor’s Degree
• After successful completion of the Fourth Year: B.A. (Honours) in the chosen Major subject

Students fulfilling the prescribed research requirements during the fourth year may also be awarded the B.A. (Honours with Research) degree.

Entry Qualification: 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
Medium of Instruction: Hindi and English.

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Programme

The B.Com. Programme shall also be offered under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) structure in accordance with NEP-2020, with Commerce as the Major subject. The programme includes multiple entry and exit opportunities as detailed below:

• After completion of the First Year: Undergraduate Certificate in Commerce
• After completion of the Second Year: Undergraduate Diploma in Commerce
• After successful completion of the Third Year: Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce
• After successful completion of the Fourth Year: B.Com. (Honours) in Commerce

Students who satisfy the prescribed research requirements in the fourth year may additionally be awarded the B.Com. (Honours with Research) degree.

Entry Qualification: 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
Medium of Instruction: Hindi and English.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme is a postgraduate professional degree programme aimed at developing managerial competence, leadership qualities, entrepreneurial skills, and decision-making abilities among students. The programme is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge in the areas of management, finance, marketing, human resource management, operations, and business strategy in accordance with contemporary industry and academic requirements.

The programme emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical exposure through case studies, presentations, project work, seminars, internships, and research-oriented learning. It seeks to prepare students for careers in corporate organizations, public sector enterprises, entrepreneurship, consultancy, and academic pursuits.

Duration: Two Years (Four Semesters)
Entry Qualification: Graduation or equivalent degree from a recognized university/institution.
Medium of Instruction: English.

(Maximum duration, entry and/or exit to/from any program shall be as defined for the analogous regular programs of the university).