Union Minister Promotes Distance Learning Expansion
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said in a video message at Karnataka State Open University's 21st convocation on January 31, 2026, that distance and open learning account for over one-tenth of India's higher-education enrollment and are crucial to meeting NEP 2020’s 50% GER target by 2035. KSOU noted its NAAC A+ (CGPA 3.31), NIRF 2025 second rank for open universities, enrollment exceeding 150,000 learners, a Centre for Future Skills with AI and data analytics, and conferred 10,691 degrees and 68 PhDs.
Key Points
- 1States that distance and open learning make up over one-tenth of higher-education enrollments.
- 2Emphasizes role in achieving NEP 2020 target of 50% GER by 2035 and inclusion.
- 3Calls for open universities to build skills hubs, tech-enabled programs, and employability focus.
Scoring Rationale
Official government and university announcements boost credibility, but limited novelty and narrow institutional focus reduce broader impact.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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