Punjab to have private digital open universities offering UGC, AICTE-compliant degrees; cabinet clears policy

The Punjab cabinet on Thursday approved a comprehensive policy allowing private higher educational institutions to establish digital universities. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the clearance of the Private Digital Open University Policy 2026 on his official X account.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held in Chandigarh on January 9, the chief minister said in the post.

Under the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy 2026, private institutions can set up fully digital universities to provide open and distance learning (ODL) programmes online, the PTI reported.

'Digital-first universities'

The policy aims to expand access to quality higher education, generate employment opportunities, and position Punjab as a digital learning hub, the report said.

“The policy aligns with UGC Regulations, 2020, and introduces state-level standards for quality, accessibility, digital infrastructure, data governance, and learner protection. This pioneering policy will expand flexible, affordable higher education and position Punjab as a digital learning hub,” the PTI reported citing an official statement.

Making “digital-first universities" legally valid, the policy enables students to complete entire degree programmes online using mobile phones or laptops with degrees compliant with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the report added.

The nod is also expected to benefit working professionals and students who are unable to relocate or attend physical classrooms, the report said.

Eligibility to set up digital varsity

The policy also holds eligibility criteria for private institutions to set up digital universities, which demands a minimum of 2.5 acres of land, digital content studios, server rooms, learning management system (LMS) operations centres, digital examination control rooms, 24x7 student support systems, and a minimum corpus fund of Rs 20 crore, as per the report.

“Separate bills will be introduced in the Punjab Assembly for every approved proposal, ensuring each digital university is legally strong and transparent. This policy is modelled on the world's successful digital universities like Western Governors University (USA), University of Phoenix (USA), Walden University (USA), Open University Malaysia and others who have provided low-cost, modern, high-quality education to millions of students," the report also stated.

In addition, the cabinet has also approved several other key decisions, establishing a medical college at Lehragaga with 220 beds and 50 MBBS seats, adjustment of 93 teachers of Baba Hira Singh Bhattal College, Lehragaga, across various departments, among other developments, CM Mann wrote on his X account.