The Distance Education Council (DEC) was established in 1991 under Section 16(7) read with Section 5(2) of the IGNOU Act, 1985. As per clause (2) (a) of the statute 28, the DEC was responsible for the promotion and coordination of the Open and Distance Learning system in the Country. In May, 2007 a Joint Committee was formed by signing a MoU between UGC, AICTE and DEC for the period of three years till May, 2010. The Joint Committee developed guidelines in the form of ‘Recognition of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Institutions’ Handbook 2009. Thereafter, in pursuance of the directions issued by the Ministry of Education, the Department of Higher Education, Government of India issued order dated 29.12.2012, thereby the regulatory functions with regard to Distance Education programmes (excluding technical education) in higher education were vested with the University Grants Commission and for technical education, the AICTE act as a regulator through ODL mode. The Distance Education Council, which was the erstwhile regulator of Distance Education programmes, was dissolved and all regulatory functions were undertaken by the UGC under DEB (Distance Education Bureau) with effect from 2013. The Ministry of Education vide its order dated 25th February, 2014, has directed UGC to act as a regulator for higher education system in ODL mode, including for technical education in universities/affiliated colleges.