Mumbai, Aug 12: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has derecognised the courses offered by the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) of the Mumbai University. Similar action has been taken against 34 varsities offering distance education programmes.

The UGC crackdown came as a major embarrassment to Maharashtra, as five of the state's major universities have faced the ire of the regulatory body. The distance courses in the state have been derecognised of the following institutes: Mumbai University’s IDOL, Shivaji University, Marathwada University and Mahatma Gandhi Open University.

The Yashwantrao Chavan University, which enrolls nearly 6.5 lakh students annually, partially faced the ire of the UGC as 17 of its 38 UG and PG courses have been derecognised.

The varsities have been given a month-period to explain the Commission on why their status should be re-accorded. If the courses remain red-flagged, the fate of lakhs of students across the country would remain in uncertainty.

D Harichandan, director of IDOL, said the Mumbai University will challenge the derecognition its distance learning courses. While speaking to reporters, he said the UGC action is an assault on autonomous status of MU. He further claimed the Commission's action will adversely affect 70,000 students annually enrolled with the distance learning programme.

According to reports, the action against IDOL was taken as its National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation was not renewed. The accredition had expired in April, 2017, claimed the university officials.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2018 06:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).