The request for clarification and opinions does not constitute 'information' under the RTI Act.

Hon’ble Commissioner _ANANDI RAMALINGAM O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 16.10.2024 seeking information on the following points:

1. दूर(cid:830)थ िश঴ा से ঋा(cid:593) (cid:728)ातक व (cid:728)ातको(cid:517)र िडिঁयां व िड(cid:600)ोमा भी पारंपौरक िश঴ा

(िनयिमत िश঴ा) से ঋा(cid:593) (cid:728)ातक व (cid:728)ातको(cid:517)र समान ही मा(cid:586) है?

2. ভा यूजीसी (cid:554)ारा अनुमोिदत रा৸ के िनजी िव(cid:695)िव(cid:552)ालयो ंको दूर(cid:830)थ िश঴ा से (एमबीए हॉ्(cid:729)टल एडिमिन(cid:720)३ेशन) की िडঁी दे अनुमोदन लेने की आव(cid:692)कता नही ंहै?

3. ভा यूजीसी (cid:554)ारा अनुमोिदत रा৸ के िनजी िव(cid:695)िव(cid:552)ालय से दूर(cid:830)थ िश঴ा (cid:554)ारा ঋा(cid:593) की

गई एमबीए हॉ्(cid:729)टल एडिमिन(cid:720)३ेशन की िड ঋा(cid:593) की गई एमबीए हॉ्(cid:729)टल एडिमिन(cid:720)३ेशन की िडঁी के समान है?

2. Aggrieved with the response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 22.10.2024. The FAA vide order dated 28.10.2024 stated as under: -

“With reference to your online RTI appeal, relevant information as per available records/documents already been provided to the applicant by the CPIO via online portal. Moreover admission taken in the approved Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme during the recognition period stands recognized completion of the Programme even if the University does not have recognition for further years provided Programme is offered as per the UGC norms of territorial jurisdiction and in conformity with the extant guidelines and regulations of respective regulatory bodies.

The year-wise list of HEIs recognized to offer Programmes under ODL mode along with the list of recognized Programmes and the recognition letters is displayed on UGC website at https://deb.ugc.ac.in/. For more information on the subject, you may refer to various notices already displayed on UGC website https://deb.ugc.ac.in/ at the link http://www.ugc.ac.in/deb/no฀ces.html. The issues regarding UGC policy territorial jurisdiction, study centres, franchising of education etc. are also covered in these notices”

3. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil.

4. The appellant remained absent during the hearing despite notice and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Under Secretary & CPIO, attended the hearing in-

person.

5. When queried by the Commission regarding a response to the RTI application, the respondent was not aware whether the RTI application was replied or not. However, the FAA had provided a detailed reply to the appellant on 28.10.2024. A written submission dated 19.09.2025 of the respondent is reproduced as under:-

“With reference to the subject cited above, it is informed that all the relevant information sought by the applicant under the RTI application dated 16.10.2024 has already been provided vide letter dated 22.10.2024 and in response to the First Appeal dated 22.10.2024, the reply was sent on 28.10.2024. A copy of the same is enclosed herewith as Annexure-I for ready reference.

Further details are as under: -

UGC notified the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 in the official Gazette of India on 4th September, 2020. Subsequently, amendments have been notified on

1st July, 2021, 18th July, 2022 and 2nd May, 2024.

1. These regulations shall apply to a University referred to under clause (f) of section 2 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956), an Institution Deemed to be University under section 3 of the said Act.

2. Regulation 22 of the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 stipulates as under:

"Equivalence of qualification acquired through