Patna: Nalanda Open University (NOU), the state’s only university imparting higher education in distance mode, is likely to start its admission process in the second week of this month.NOU vice-chancellor Ravindra Kumar told this newspaper that the university has completed all preparations for admissions to 24 postgraduate programmes, 11 undergraduate programmes (four-year degree courses under the choice-based credit system), four professional courses — BCA, MCA, BLIS and MLIS — eight postgraduate diploma courses and 16 certificate courses for the 2026–27 academic session. The university will also introduce postgraduate courses in English and Maithili from the current session.The VC said the university is awaiting fresh recognition from the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of the UGC for some of its PG and UG courses. If approval is received within the stipulated admission period, enrolment in these courses will also begin in the current session.He added that NOU’s academic calendar is running on schedule, with all 2025 examinations completed and results declared. Examinations for 2026 are scheduled to commence in the last week of this month.The university has also requested the state higher education department to allow it to open a branch office in Patna for students’ convenience. At present, students from remote areas have to travel to Nalanda even for minor queries. A Patna office would reduce inconvenience and improve access.Kumar said examinations could also be conducted in Patna from time to time. He added that the university has recently opened study centres at Patna College and Patna Science College for the benefit of local students.
