The policy allows private institutions to set up universities where students can earn legally valid degrees via mobile or laptop.

Punjab Leads India: Cabinet Approves First-of-its-Kind Private Digital University Policy

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led the Punjab Cabinet, which has approved the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026. This historic decision makes Punjab the first state in India to establish a comprehensive policy framework for fully digital universities, which offer online and Open Distance Learning (ODL) programmes.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema described the move as a historic reform in higher education for students and working professionals. 

The policy allows private institutions to set up universities where students can earn legally valid degrees via mobile or laptop, compliant with UGC/AICTE standards. Key features include:

• No Physical Commute: Students can complete their degrees from home, which will help them save on their hostel and travel expenses.
• Modern Curriculum: Degrees will focus on future-ready fields like AI, cybersecurity, data science, and robotics.
• Strict Infrastructure: To ensure quality, institutions must have digital content studios, 24x7 student support, and a minimum INR 20 crore corpus fund.

Minister Cheema noted that while Tripura has a digital university, Punjab is the first to provide a structured policy and model. This landmark move for higher education aims to bridge the gap between formal education and real-world skills, positioning Punjab as a global digital learning hub.

Source: Indian Express