Overview
- The Cabinet approved the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026, described by officials as India’s first comprehensive state framework for digital universities.
- The framework permits private institutions to run fully online and ODL universities with degrees the state says will be AICTE/UGC-compliant and completable entirely from home.
- Minimum thresholds include at least 2.5 acres of land, digital content studios, server and LMS operations rooms, examination control rooms, 24x7 student support, and a Rs 20 crore corpus.
- The government said private promoters must submit proposals that will be vetted, with each approved university to be authorized through an individual Punjab Assembly bill.
- Officials say the policy seeks to lower costs and embed new-age skills such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, business skills, and robotics, drawing on models like Western Governors University and Open University Malaysia.