N.K. Chauhan 
The UGC and AICTE have warned their recognised varsities and institutions against offering courses in distance learning and online mode in association with Ed-tech companies, saying no "franchise" agreement is permissible as per norms.
The Education Ministry had earlier this month issued an elaborate advisory to parents and students dealing with ed-tech firms asking them, among other things, to exercise caution while making payments.
University Grants Commission (UGC)
The University Grants Commission of India (UGC India) is a statutory body set up by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, GoI in accordance to the UGC Act 1956.The UGC was first formed in 1945 to oversee the work of the three Central Universities of Aligarh, Banaras and Delhi.
Its responsibility was extended in 1947 to cover all Indian universities.
In November 1956 the UGC became a statutory body upon the passing of the "University Grants Commission Act, 1956".
It is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education.
It provides recognition to universities in India, and disbursements of funds to such recognized universities and colleges.
The headquarters are in New Delhi, and it has six regional centres in Pune, Bhopal, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Bangalore.
A proposal to replace it with another new regulatory body called Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is under consideration by the Government of India.
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is a statutory body, and a national-level council for technical education, under the Department of Higher Education.It was first established as an advisory body in 1945 and later on in 1987 given statutory status by an Act of Parliament,
AICTE is responsible for proper planning and coordinated development of the technical education and management education system in India.
It is assisted by Statutory Boards of Studies like UG Studies in Eng. & Tech., PG and Research in Eng. and Tech., Management Studies etc.
In 2013, the Supreme Court said "as per provisions of the AICTE Act and UGC Act, the council has no authority to issue or enforce any sanctions on colleges affiliated with the universities as its role is to provide only guidance and recommendations.
Universities do not require prior approval of AICTE to commence a new Department or Course and Programme(s) in Technical Education, however Universities have obligation or duty to conform to the standards; and norms laid down by the AICTE.
Read Also: National Education Policy, 2020
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