Delhi University Renames School of Open Learning (SOL) as Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE)
Published 25 Jul 20267 min read
The University of Delhi (DU) has changed the name of the School of Open Learning (SOL) to the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). This decision was approved by the Academic Council during its 1027th meeting, which took place on Friday, July 24, 2026. The meeting was led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh. The suggestion for this change was previously made by the Governing Body of SOL. Along with the name change, the principal of SOL will now be known as the director of CDOE. The new Director will hold a full-time position at the level of associate professor or higher. This change is in line with the University Grants Commission (UGC) 2022 regulations. These rules require higher education institutions that offer distance and online courses to establish a dedicated center for these programs.
Key Details of the DU SOL Rename Decision
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Old Name | School of Open Learning (SOL) |
| New Name | Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) |
| Approving Body | DU Academic Council (1027th meeting) |
| Date of Approval | July 24, 2026 |
| Chaired By | Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh |
| New Head Designation | Director, CDOE (Associate Professor level or higher) |
| Regulatory Basis | UGC 2022 Regulations on Distance and Online Education |
What Changes for Current and Prospective Students?
The renaming is just an administrative change and won’t affect ongoing programs. Existing students of SOL will continue with their courses without any changes to the curriculum. From now on, degrees will be issued under the CDOE name. The processes for admissions, exams, and results will remain the same, but they will now be handled under the new name. Prospective applicants for the 2026-27 session should look for the CDOE branding on official DU pages. The programs, fees, and study materials remain the same for now. Any updates related to UGC compliance will be communicated by the university separately.
Why Has DU Made This Change?
In 2022, the UGC introduced new rules for open, distance, and online learning. These rules require each institution to have a single dedicated centre for such programmes, led by a full-time Director with a senior academic rank. DU has now made this change to align the SOL with these regulations.
DU SOL Naming History
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| Before 2003 | School of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education |
| November 24, 2003 | School of Open Learning (SOL) |
| July 24, 2026 | Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) |
Other Decisions Taken at the Same Meeting
The Academic Council also approved the Arun Jaitley Sports Scholarship during the same meeting. This scholarship is named after the late former Union Minister and former DUSU president. It will support undergraduate athletes who compete at national or international levels.
Arun Jaitley Sports Scholarship at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of Awards | 3 per year |
| Total Value | Rs 50,000 combined annually |
| Reserved Category | At least one award for a female student |
| Eligibility | UG athletes at national or international level |
| Funding Source | Interest from Rs 10 lakh corpus, over 20 years |
| Award Date | August 13, every year |
How to Verify the Change on Official DU Channels?
Students can check the official DU website at du.ac.in for formal notifications. The current SOL portal is sol.du.ac.in, which is expected to reflect the CDOE branding soon. Notices about admissions and exams will continue to be posted on the same portal.
Action Plan for Students
- Visit the official portal at sol.du.ac.in for the latest updates.
- Note the new name, Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), when filling out forms in the future.
- Save the reference to the UGC 2022 regulations if applying for distance programs.
- Check the main DU site at du.ac.in for the formal notification.
- Track updates on the 2026-27 admission cycle under the CDOE identity.