The Council
About Us
Promoting and strengthening quality standards among distance-learning institutions through a structured accreditation framework.
Our story
Established in 2009
The Distance Learning Council of India (DLCI) was established in 2009 as a network of management education institutions in India, with the objective of promoting and maintaining high standards of educational quality and excellence in online and distance learning in higher education.
It was formed during the National Conference of Heads of Management Education Institutions, held in Maharashtra, which focused on the theme “National Education Policy and its Implications for Management Education in the Country.”
DLCI later convened a conference on the theme “Distance Teaching Learning: India’s Future Vision”, addressing important areas of open and distance learning.
DLCI operates as a non-governmental organisation and seeks to contribute to the development and promotion of distance and online education, in line with the broader objective of expanding access to education and encouraging lifelong learning for a wider section of society.
Our purpose
DLCI’s inspection and evaluation process assesses institutional standards, and also gives guidance and recommendations that help institutions improve the quality of their academic and administrative practices.
The assessment is designed not only to determine whether an institution meets the prescribed standards, but also to identify areas needing improvement before accreditation is considered.
The inspection process
Objectives of the inspection
For new applicants, the inspection process broadly aims to:
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the institution and its educational provisions.
Identify areas that may require corrective measures before accreditation is granted.
Provide institutions with appropriate recommendations to strengthen their academic, administrative and quality-assurance practices.
Stages
Three stages of evaluation
Depending on the institution’s level of establishment and preparedness, stages may where appropriate be combined into one comprehensive inspection.
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Stage 1
Review of Documentation
The institution’s submitted documents, policies, academic information and other relevant records are examined as part of the initial assessment.
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Stage 2
Compliance & Standards Inspection
The inspection focuses on compliance with applicable statutory requirements and DLCI’s prescribed minimum standards. Subject to satisfactory compliance, an initial accreditation may be considered for a specified period.
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Stage 3
Educational Quality Assessment
A further inspection evaluates educational delivery, academic provisions, internal procedures, and mechanisms for monitoring and continuously improving quality. Upon satisfactory completion, full accreditation may be considered.
Key areas of evaluation
What institutions must demonstrate
Institutions applying for DLCI accreditation are expected to show satisfactory standards in these areas.
Independent inspection
Inspections are carried out by teams of designated inspectors. They evaluate the institution against the applicable standards and prepare an assessment report for the relevant accreditation authority or committee.
- Quality and standard of education
- Course structure and curriculum
- Academic and learning resources
- Student support and learning provisions
- Alignment with professional and industry requirements
- Relevance to changing market and employment trends
- Institutional procedures for maintaining and enhancing quality
Learning opportunities
Flexible, professional and higher-education pathways
DLCI-associated institutions let learners study according to their own circumstances and requirements.
Institutions preparing learners for university-level education
Institutions providing vocational and professional education
Institutions working in collaboration with universities or awarding bodies to provide validated higher-education programmes
Offerings range from conventional academic qualifications to professional and vocational areas, including: