In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and the President of the University, University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher education institutions (HEIs) to identify approved SWAYAM courses for the July 2026 semester, map them with existing degree courses and ensure students register before their respective deadlines.The committee requires institutions to actively integrate massive open online courses (MOOCs) into academic curricula rather than treating them as stand-alone online courses.
Universities asked to map SWAYAM courses to curriculum
According to a letter issued by UGC Secretary Prof. Shyama Rath, the Ministry of Education has approved the approval of the partnership between the University Grants Commission (UGC), Consortium for Education Communication (CEC), National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Indira Gandhi National Open University (Igno), Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Institute of Technical Teacher Training and Research (NITTTR) and Institutions of National Importance (INI).The committee has asked universities to circulate the list of approved courses among deans, department heads and nodal officers of SWAYAM universities so that students are notified before the registration deadline.
Emphasis shifts from admissions to academic integration
Universities have been asked to convene SWAYAM Advisory Committee meetings to identify courses that are in line with the existing curriculum and syllabus, finalize the credit transfer mechanism and display the list of approved courses on the institutional website and official social media platforms.The move is intended to make SWAYAM courses part of the regular academic program rather than an additional study option chosen by a small number of students.
Universities can conduct SWAYAM exams on campus
The committee also reminded institutions that those institutions that have adopted the UGC (Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM) Regulations 2021 and the UGC framework for conducting SWAYAM examinations released in August 2024 can hold the SWAYAM course final examinations on their campuses.This is in addition to the examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and NPTEL and provides another option for students to appear for the examination.According to regulations, higher education institutions can allow students to obtain 40% of the total credits for courses in a semester through SWAYAM.
SWAYAM July 2026 Registration Timetable
The UGC has also shared the registration deadlines for courses offered by different national coordinators.
| national coordinator | Registration last date |
|---|---|
| University Grants Committee (UGC) | August 31, 2026 |
| Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) | August 31, 2026 |
| National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Group 1 (4, 8 and 12 week courses): 27 July 2026 Group 2 (4 and 8 week courses): 17 August 2026 |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | August 31, 2026 |
| Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) | August 31, 2026 |
| All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) | August 31, 2026 |
| National Institute of Technical Teacher Training (NITTTR) | August 31, 2026 |
| Institution of National Importance (INI) | August 31, 2026 |
