What the UGC approved online MBA list is
UGC, the University Grants Commission, is the government body that oversees universities in India. Its Distance Education Bureau, called DEB, keeps one official list of every course that universities may run online or by distance. You can open it yourself on the UGC-DEB website. When we read it on 18 October 2026, it had 14,035 rows.
People call this list the UGC approved list, but UGC does not use the word approved. Each row simply records that one university may run one course, in one mode, for one year and session. So a university is not approved in general. It is listed for particular courses and sessions.
Each row has nine fields. Three of them tell you whether a row covers your course.
- Year and sessionThe row must show the year and session printed on your admission letter.
- ModeThe row must say online if your course is taught over the internet.
- University and programmeThe row must name the university that awards your degree and your course.
The UGC approved online MBA university list for July 2026
The table shows every university that UGC's list allows to run an online MBA in the July 2026 session. There are 125 in all: 54 private universities, 36 deemed universities, 24 state universities, 6 central universities and 5 open universities. The universities are sorted by state, and the names are written exactly as UGC's list writes them.
An online MBA can carry a specialisation in its name, such as an MBA in Finance. The table counts any online MBA, with or without a specialisation in its name. It leaves out executive MBAs, which are listed separately.
This table is a copy, and UGC's own list is the record. So before you pay, find your university's row on the UGC-DEB website yourself, and save a dated copy of it.
| University | Type and state |
|---|---|
| Andhra University | State University, Andhra Pradesh |
| Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation | Deemed University, Andhra Pradesh |
| Mohan Babu University | Private University, Andhra Pradesh |
| Sri Venkateswara University | State University, Andhra Pradesh |
| Vignan`s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research | Deemed University, Andhra Pradesh |
| Assam Don Bosco University | Private University, Assam |
| Assam Down Town University | Private University, Assam |
| Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | Central University, Chhattisgarh |
| MATS University | Private University, Chhattisgarh |
| Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University Chhattisgarh, Bilaspur | State Open University, Chhattisgarh |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | Deemed University, Delhi |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | Central Open University, Delhi |
| Jamia Hamdard | Deemed University, Delhi |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Central University, Delhi |
| TERI School of Advanced Studies | Deemed University, Delhi |
| Charotar University of Science & Technology | Private University, Gujarat |
| G.L.S. University | Private University, Gujarat |
| Ganpat University | Private University, Gujarat |
| Gujarat Technlogical University | State University, Gujarat |
| Karnavati University | Private University, Gujarat |
| Marwadi University | Private University, Gujarat |
| P.P. Savani University | Private University, Gujarat |
| Parul University | Private University, Gujarat |
| Silver Oak University | Private University, Gujarat |
| BML Munjal University | Private University, Haryana |
| Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology | State University, Haryana |
| Kurukshetra University | State University, Haryana |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar | Deemed University, Haryana |
| ManavRachna International Institute of Research & Studies | Deemed University, Haryana |
| Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University | Private University, Haryana |
| Central University of Himachal Pradesh | Central University, Himachal Pradesh |
| Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | Private University, Himachal Pradesh |
| ARKA Jain University | Private University, Jharkhand |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Deemed University, Jharkhand |
| Usha Martin University | Private University, Jharkhand |
| Adichunchanagiri University | Private University, Karnataka |
| Alliance University | Private University, Karnataka |
| Dayanand Sagar University | Private University, Karnataka |
| JAIN(Deemed-to-be University) | Deemed University, Karnataka |
| JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research | Deemed University, Karnataka |
| Karnataka State Open University | State Open University, Karnataka |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Deemed University, Karnataka |
| Reva University | Private University, Karnataka |
| Srinivas University | Private University, Karnataka |
| St. Aloysius | Deemed University, Karnataka |
| University of Mysore | State University, Karnataka |
| Visveswaraiah Technological University | State University, Karnataka |
| Yenepoya | Deemed University, Karnataka |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | State University, Kerala |
| University of Calicut | State University, Kerala |
| University of Kerala | State University, Kerala |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | State University, Madhya Pradesh |
| Sage University | Private University, Madhya Pradesh |
| Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil University | Private University, Maharashtra |
| Atlas skilltech University | Private University, Maharashtra |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| D.Y. Patil | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| DR. D.Y. PATIL VIDYAPEETH | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| Sandip University | Private University, Maharashtra |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | State University, Maharashtra |
| Shivaji University | State University, Maharashtra |
| SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| SYMBIOSIS International | Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University | State Open University, Maharashtra |
| Mizoram University | Central University, Mizoram |
| Centurion University of Technology and Management | Private University, Odisha |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Deemed University, Odisha |
| Chandigarh University | Private University, Punjab |
| Chitkara University | Private University, Punjab |
| Desh Bhagat University | Private University, Punjab |
| Guru Kashi University | Private University, Punjab |
| Guru Nanak Dev University | State University, Punjab |
| Lovely Professional University | Private University, Punjab |
| Amity University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Banasthali Vidyapith | Deemed University, Rajasthan |
| Jagannath University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Jaipur National University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Manipal University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Mody University of Science and Technology | Private University, Rajasthan |
| R.N.B. Global University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Vivekananda Global University | Private University, Rajasthan |
| Shri Ramasamy Memorial University | Private University, Sikkim |
| Sikkim-Manipal University | Private University, Sikkim |
| Academy of Maritime Education and Training | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Alagappa University | State University, Tamil Nadu |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Anna University | State University, Tamil Nadu |
| B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Bharathiar University | State University, Tamil Nadu |
| Bharathidasan University | State University, Tamil Nadu |
| Central University of Tamil Nadu | Central University, Tamil Nadu |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Higher Education | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Manonmaniam Sundaranar University | State University, Tamil Nadu |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Vel’s Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) | Deemed University, Tamil Nadu |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University | State Open University, Telangana |
| ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education | Deemed University, Telangana |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Central University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Amity University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Bennett University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Kanpur University | State University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Choudhary Charan Singh University | State University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University | State University, Uttar Pradesh |
| DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR UNIVERSITY | State University, Uttar Pradesh |
| G.L.A. University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Galgotias University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Integral University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Jaypee Institute of Information Technology | Deemed University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Mangalayatan University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Noida International University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Sharda University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Swami Vivekanand Subharti University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Teerthanker Mahaveer University | Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| University of Lucknow | State University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Graphic Era | Deemed University, Uttarakhand |
| Swami Rama Himalayan University | Private University, Uttarakhand |
| University of Petroleum and Energy Studies | Private University, Uttarakhand |
| Uttaranchal University | Private University, Uttarakhand |
Source: UGC-DEB list, year 2026-27, session July, mode Online, read on 18 October 2026
Where the colleges on Sidenotes appear
All four colleges on Sidenotes appear on the list for an online MBA in the July 2026 session. Their names on UGC's list are not always the names they use on their own websites. The table shows the name to look for.
Amity University Online is based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, so its row is the Amity University row for Uttar Pradesh. A second Amity University, in Rajasthan, is also listed. Ask Amity in writing which of its universities will award your degree, and check that row.
| College | Name, type and state on UGC's list |
|---|---|
| Manipal University Jaipur | Manipal University: Private University, Rajasthan |
| NMIMS | SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies: Deemed University, Maharashtra |
| Amity University Online | Amity University: Private University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune | DR. D.Y. PATIL VIDYAPEETH: Deemed University, Maharashtra |
Source: UGC-DEB list, 2026-27, July, Online
Universities with similar names
Some names on the list look alike. If you search the list for one word, such as Manipal or Patil, you will see more than one university. Each one is a separate university, with its own courses and its own rows. So check that the full name and the state on the row match the university that will award your degree.
| Search word | Separate universities on the list |
|---|---|
| Manipal | Manipal University (Rajasthan); Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Karnataka); Sikkim-Manipal University (Sikkim) |
| Patil | DR. D.Y. PATIL VIDYAPEETH (Maharashtra); D.Y. Patil (Maharashtra); Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil University (Maharashtra) |
| Amity | Amity University (Uttar Pradesh); Amity University (Rajasthan) |
Source: UGC-DEB list, 2026-27, July, Online
How to check a university on the list yourself
You can check any course in about five minutes. Do it yourself, instead of relying on a screenshot that someone sends you.
Read the programme name on the row, and not only the UG or PG field. On the July 2026 list, Amity University in Rajasthan has an MBA row marked UG, and the Central University of Tamil Nadu has an MBA row with this field left blank. An MBA is a postgraduate degree, so the programme name is the safer field to match.
- Open UGC's listGo to the UGC-DEB list on UGC's own website.
- Choose the year, session and modePick the year and session on your admission letter, and choose the online mode.
- Find the university and the programmeSearch for the university's full name, then find the row that says Master of Business Administration.
- Save a dated copySave the page as a PDF, and put the date in the file name.
The list changes every session
UGC records each course for one year and one session at a time. There are two sessions each year. One starts in July or August, and the other starts in January or February. Under Regulation 5(3) of UGC's rules, recognition lasts five years. Even so, a row for one session does not cover the next session.
So a university that was listed last year may not be listed for the session you join. For some years, the list shows a note saying that an updated list will come soon. This note does not mean yes or no. It means the list for that year is not complete yet. If you see it, ask the college in writing for the record that covers your session.
Each session also has a last date of admission, which UGC sets. For the February 2024 session, it was 31 March 2024, as UGC said in a public notice of 19 March 2024. Your admission date should fall before the last date for your session.
Online and distance courses are listed separately
Every row records a mode of study. Online courses are taught fully over the internet. Distance courses, which UGC calls ODL for open and distance learning, use printed material and some classes in person. A university listed for a distance MBA is not listed for an online MBA by that row, and the same is true the other way round.
So match the mode as well as the year and session. If a college says its MBA is listed, ask whether it means the online row or the distance row.
- Online modeThe row says Online, and the course is taught fully over the internet.
- Distance modeThe row says ODL, and the course uses printed material and some classes in person.
What being on the list means for your degree
Being on the list is what gives an online degree its standing. Under Regulation 22 of UGC's rules, an online degree counts as equal to the same degree earned on campus when two conditions are met. The degree must be one that UGC lists, such as an MBA. The university must also be allowed to run that course online for your session. UGC repeated this rule in a public notice in 2022.
So the row for your session is your proof. Keep a dated copy of it with your admission letter. You may need it years later, for a job, a government post or further study.
You also need a DEB-ID before you join any online course. From the 2024-25 session, your DEB-ID must be linked to your Academic Bank of Credits ID, which keeps a record of the credits you earn.
Questions to ask a college before you pay
UGC asks every listed university to show its details on its own website, and it asks students to report any university whose details do not match the list. UGC said this in its public notice of August 2020. So ask these questions in writing before you pay, and keep the replies.
- Which university will award my degree?Ask for its full name and state, exactly as UGC's list shows them.
- Is the course listed in online mode?Ask whether the row is the online row or the distance row.
- Which year and session does the row cover?It should be the session printed on your admission letter.
- Can you send me the record in writing?Ask for a written reply, so that you have proof on file.
