India’s online education market is booming, but experts believe that students still face confusion due to aggressive marketing, inconsistent quality and a crowded field of programmes. College Vidya, an online education advisory platform claims to be bridging this gap by helping students assess, compare and choose from UGC-recognised online degree programs offered by Indian universities.
Interestingly, the platform noted that, in six months, nearly 9,000 students enrolled through it, mostly in MBA and BCA programs. About 80% return for further studies. Most users are from Tier 2 and 3 cities, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar leading in enrollments.
The platform claims that it only lists UGC-approved institutions and uses AI tools to match students with programs based on their background, goals and budget. It further claims to evaluate courses on more than 30 parameters and even removes universities with repeated negative feedback. “Our counselors explain, not sell,” says Rohit Gupta, COO.
Awareness gap in regulations
India’s regulatory framework for online degrees has evolved considerably in recent years. Institutions now require a certain NAAC grade or NIRF ranking, and must already offer a program in offline mode before it can be transitioned online. There are also new options for multiple entry and exit points, credit transfers, and dual degrees, developments aimed at offering students more flexibility.
However, many prospective learners remain unaware of these details. According to College Vidya, this lack of clarity can lead students to enroll in unrecognized or misrepresented programs. The platform stresses the importance of verifying whether a course is UGC-entitled for the current academic session, something not always made clear in advertisements.
Future plans
The platform plans to add regional language support and explore global programs that meet Indian standards. It also aims to expand to the Middle East. By focusing on guidance and post-admission support rather than aggressive sales, College Vidya hopes to stand out in a market often driven by marketing over student interests.