The UGC decision to prohibit psychology courses under open distance learning (ODL) from July 2025 has been opposed by academics. Experts stated that psychology is extensively covered by professionals all over the world in distance mode and requested UGC to reconsider the prohibition.
There has been a resistance to University Grants Commission's new guidelines to all higher education institutions to discontinue psychology courses in open distance learning (ODL) mode courses from the July-August 2025 academic session.
The prohibition is for all courses which fall under National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act 2021. In the case of Psychology, NCAHP formulated syllabus explicitly for applied psychology and behaviour health.
Talking to Telangana Today Hyderabad Psychological Association life member Dr Rapolu Satyanarayana said that psychology is a subject of interest for individuals of various streams like administrators, managers, teachers, lawyers, judges, police, counsellors and health workers.
They learn it as a part of professional training and many tend to take up psychology courses in order to have better knowledge of the subject. Some individuals study psychology as an intellectual interest and for research.
Psychology courses have been provided under ODL mode overseas since way back. The Open University of United Kingdom founded in 1969 provides courses in psychology and mental health and were accredited by The British Psychological Society.
There has been a certain negative mindset towards ODL that exists among Indian educationists and intellectual circles. That attitude has resulted in the imposition of a ban on psychology courses through the ODL mode.
Convenient chair intellectuals in India do not know the ground realities of this country or do not follow what is happening overseas. If IDL course delivery was flawed at any place, remedial action should be initiated rather than totally prohibiting the course from being offered through ODL mode, Dr. Satyanarayana stated.
He wished the UGC and relevant authorities to reconsider and remove the ban on the study of psychology courses in distance mode so that anyone interested in pursuing the course could do so without hassle.
