UGC (University Grants Commission) does not approve Distance PhD courses in India. The UGC released the circular containing this information in 2017, and it stated that the PhD degrees that have been granted by distance education mode would no longer be recognized. Therefore, only full-time PhD degrees and part-time Ph.D. degrees will be approved as valid PhD degrees in India.
Students who want to pursue Correspondence PhD in India can now opt for UGC Approved Part-Time PhD Programs in India. Instead of a PhD in Computer Science through distance education, they can opt for Part-time courses in computer science, Management, law, and other programs.
UGC has now issued another circular asking colleges and universities to upload information on PhDs received by their staff/students, making special mention of the mode in which the degree was pursued. Colleges have been directed to share this information with the UGC at the earliest.