The University of Calicut has formally requested the Kerala government to amend the SNGOU Act to allow it to restart its highly popular Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses.
- Calicut University has requested amendments to sections 47(2) and 72 of the SNGOU Act, 2021.
- Currently, Sreenarayanaguru Open University holds exclusive rights for distance education in the state.
- The restriction has impacted thousands of students in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and surrounding districts.
- The university has allocated ₹10 crore to expand these programs upon approval.
The University of Calicut has officially approached the Higher Education Department seeking an amendment to the Sreenarayanaguru Open University (SNGOU) Act, 2021. The move is aimed at regaining the authority to conduct Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes, which were halted due to recent legislative changes.
University Registrar C.D. Sebastian sent a formal communication to the Principal Secretary of Higher Education, following a syndicate resolution passed on July 9, 2026. The university argues that the current legal framework prevents it from serving its massive student base.
The Legal Hurdle: Sections 47(2) and 72
According to the registrar, while the university's ODL programmes were previously approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Distance Education Bureau (DEB), the establishment of SNGOU in 2021 changed the landscape. Under sections 47(2) and 72 of the SNGOU Act, exclusive authority for distance and private registration courses was granted to the new Open University, effectively sidelining established institutions like Calicut University.
This legislative shift has had a profound impact on students across Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Wayanad. Many students who relied on the university's proximity and reputation for higher education now find themselves without viable local options.
The monopoly over distance education via a single act is creating an unintended vacuum in accessible higher education for rural and working students.
Why This Matters: BozokMedia Analysis
BozokMedia analysis shows that the centralization of distance education under a single entity can lead to a bottleneck in student admissions and academic diversity. While the creation of a dedicated Open University was intended to streamline processes, the resulting restriction on existing major universities has inadvertently limited the geographical and academic reach of higher education in Kerala.
Historical Enrollment Trends
The demand for these courses is backed by overwhelming historical data. Before the restrictions, the university saw massive enrollments:
| Academic Year | Courses Offered (UG/PG) | Total Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 15 UG / 12 PG | 47,681 |
| 2018-19 | 14 UG / 12 PG | 50,476 |
| 2020-21 | 15 UG / 13 PG | 33,570 |
| 2023-24 | 04 UG / 09 PG | 22,867 |
To facilitate a rapid comeback, the university has already set aside ₹10 crore in its budget for the expansion of these distance learning modules.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why can't Calicut University currently run distance courses?
The SNGOU Act of 2021 grants exclusive rights for distance education to Sreenarayanaguru Open University, legally barring other universities from doing so.
2. Has the government responded to the university's request?
Official sources indicate that the Higher Education department has responded positively to the demand for an amendment.
Editor Comment
Democratizing education requires balancing new institutional mandates with the functional capacity of existing pillars of learning. The government must ensure that legislative exclusivity does not become a barrier to student progress.
