Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has approved the introduction of one-year postgraduate programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) modes in 13 disciplines, marking a significant expansion of flexible higher-education options for students.
The decision, formalised through a university order dated September 21, 2026, issued by Registrar Prof. Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi on behalf of the Majlis-i-Talimi (Academic Council), aligns with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and applicable University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and their amendments. The action taken by the Vice-Chancellor will be reported at the next meeting of the Academic Council.
Programmes Approved
The one-year Master of Arts (MA) programmes will be offered in the following 11 disciplines:
Education
English
Geography
Hindi
History
Human Resource ManagementIslamic Studies
Political Science
Public Administration
Sociology
Urdu
In addition, the university has approved:
One-year Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Commerce (MCom) in Business Management
These programmes will be offered through the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Jamia Millia Islamia, in ODL and/or online modes as applicable.
With this move, JMI joins other central universities, including the University of Delhi, in offering shorter-duration postgraduate programmes for the academic session 2026-27. The one-year format, enabled under the NEP 2020 framework, aims to provide greater flexibility, particularly for working professionals and students seeking accelerated pathways while maintaining academic standards prescribed by the UGC.
The university has directed its deans, directors, heads of departments and the Director of the Centre for Distance and Online Education to take necessary action for implementation.
Further details regarding admissions, eligibility, curriculum structure and fee schedules are expected to be notified by the CDOE in due course.