Is an OSOU Degree Valid? UGC-DEB Recognition Explained
Odisha State Open University (OSOU) degrees are valid due to recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for Open & Distance Learning (ODL) programmes, with approvals extending to the 2025-26 academic year. OSOU has also completed its NAAC First Cycle accreditation, including a peer team visit in June 2024, confirming its commitment to quality education.
Key facts
| UGC Recognition Status | Recognised for Open & Distance Learning (ODL) mode programmes |
|---|---|
| Latest UGC Approval for UG/PG | Academic Year 2025-26 |
| NAAC Accreditation Status | First Cycle completed |
| NAAC Peer Team Visit | 18th to 20th June 2024 |
UGC Recognition for OSOU Programmes
Odisha State Open University (OSOU) holds recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for offering programmes in Open & Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The university regularly submits applications and compliance reports to the UGC for programme approvals. View the UGC Corner page for more details.
Students should take precautions before enrolling for programmes offered under ODL and/or Online Learning mode, as advised by UGC.
Recent UGC Approvals and Submissions
| Approval/Submission | Academic Year/Session | Date/Details |
|---|---|---|
| UGC Approval for Master Degree (PG) Programmes | 2025-26 | |
| UGC Approval for Bachelor Degree (UG) Programmes | 2025-26 | |
| UGC Approval for MJMC and MBA | 2025-26 | |
| UGC Portal- OSOU Application | 2025-26 (July 2025) | Submitted on 10-04-2025 |
| UGC Approval to offer PG programmes | 2024-25, Academic Session beginning February 2025 and onwards | |
| UGC Portal – Compliance | 2024-25 (February 2025) | Submitted on 08-11-2024 |
| UGC Portal- OSOU Application | 2024-25 (February 2025) | Submitted on 08-11-2024 |
| UGC Approval to offer 4 PG programme | 2024-25, Academic Session beginning October 2024 (revised from July-Aug 2024) and onwards | |
| UGC Portal- OSOU Application | 2024-25 (October 2024) | Submitted on 31-07-2024 |
| UGC Compliance Report submitted | 01-05-2023 | |
| Undertaking submitted to UGC | 2023 | |
| 2nd Affidavit submitted to UGC regarding NAAC Accreditation | 23-03-2023 | |
| 1st Affidavit submitted to UGC regarding NAAC Accreditation | 11-01-2023 | |
| UGC Portal- OSOU Application | 2020-21 | |
| UGC approval to offer UG and PG programme | Letter on August 2018 | |
| UGC recognition Letter | 6th Nov 2017 | |
| Letter on | 23 SEP 2016 | |
| Letter on | 17 OCT 2016 |
NAAC Accreditation Status
Odisha State Open University has completed its First Cycle of accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The NAAC Peer Team visited the university from 18th to 20th June 2024. More information is available on the NAAC page.
The university submitted its Institutional Information for Quality Assessment (IIQA) on 26 September 2023 and the Self-Study Report (SSR) on 16 March 2024. The NAAC First Cycle page provides access to the NAAC Certificate (First Cycle) and Grade Sheet, along with a video on the NAAC Peer Team Visit.
Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA)
OSOU maintains a Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) to ensure and enhance the quality of its academic offerings and operations. The CIQA Committee is periodically re-constituted; for example, re-constitution notices were issued on 12 March 2025, 17 October 2024, and 14 December 2022. A notice on the appointment of CIQA Director was issued on 12 March 2025. Details about CIQA and its activities can be found on the CIQA page.
Annual Reports of CIQA are published, including for the academic years 2025-26, 2024-25, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, and 2018-19. The CIQA Grievance Redressal Mechanism document outlines the process for addressing grievances.
Board of Recognition
The university has a Board of Recognition. This board is responsible for admitting Government recognized colleges to the privileges of the university. These colleges are admitted for the purpose of providing add-on and skill development courses.
OSOU has also submitted affidavits to UGC regarding NAAC Accreditation on 11 January 2023 and 23 March 2023.
Important OSOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| View UGC recognition details | osou.ac.in/ugc.html |
| Explore NAAC accreditation information | osou.ac.in/naac.html |
| Access NAAC First Cycle documents | osou.ac.in/naac-first-cycle.html |
| Learn about CIQA activities | osou.ac.in/ciqa.html |
Official documents (PDF)
- Letter on 17 OCT 2016 PDF — UGC recognition letter dated 17 October 2016
- Notice on Appointment of Director of CIQA – 12-03-2025 PDF — Notice on appointment of CIQA Director on 12 March 2025
- Grievance Redressal Mechanism PDF — CIQA Grievance Redressal Mechanism document
Frequently asked questions
Is OSOU recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC)?
Yes, Odisha State Open University (OSOU) is recognised by the UGC for offering programmes in Open & Distance Learning (ODL) mode.
What is the latest UGC approval for OSOU programmes?
OSOU has received UGC approval for offering Master Degree (PG) and Bachelor Degree (UG) Programmes for the Academic Year 2025-26, including MJMC and MBA programmes.
Has OSOU been accredited by NAAC?
Yes, OSOU has completed its First Cycle of accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
When did the NAAC Peer Team visit OSOU?
The NAAC Peer Team visited Odisha State Open University from 18th to 20th June 2024 for the First Cycle accreditation.
What is the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) at OSOU?
The CIQA at OSOU is responsible for ensuring and enhancing the quality of the university’s academic offerings and operations, with its committee being periodically re-constituted.
What is the role of the Board of Recognition at OSOU?
The Board of Recognition at OSOU is responsible for admitting Government recognized colleges to the university’s privileges for providing add-on and skill development courses.
Sources
Written from the official OSOU pages and documents below, as read on 2 October 2026.
- UGC Corner osou.ac.in/…/ugc.html
- Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) | Odisha State Open University, Sambalpur osou.ac.in/…/ciqa.html
- NAAC | Odisha State Open University, Sambalpur osou.ac.in/…/naac.html
- Board of Recognition osou.ac.in/…/board-of-recognition.html
- NAAC First Cycle osou.ac.in/…/naac-first-cycle.html