Kottayam: Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam has announced the continuation of its existing private registration programmes alongside the introduction of four-year degree courses. The university confirmed that the three-year undergraduate private registration courses would continue. Additionally, the two-year postgraduate courses will also continue unchanged.

Mahatma Gandhi University currently offers 11 undergraduate courses and 12 postgraduate courses, including popular programmes like B.Com. and M.Com under private registration.

According to the Open Universities Act passed by the Legislative Assembly, distance education programmes provided by Sree Narayanaguru Open University should not be offered by other universities. This raises questions about the legality of Mahatma Gandhi University's decision.

Starting this year, the Open University will convert its distance education programmes to four-year degrees. However, the Mahatma Gandhi University syndicate has evaluated that maintaining private registration programmes as three-year courses will not pose a legal issue. Established in 2020, the Open University offers 28 courses, including 16 undergraduate and 12 postgraduate programmes.