NEW DELHI, India – July 02, 2026 – India’s higher education ecosystem has experienced rapid growth in online and distance education over the past six to seven years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this growth has also created both access and decision-making challenges for students and working professionals. To address these challenges, SODE (School of Online and Distance Education) Counselling Services LLP, also known as Distance Education School, has announced expanded access to educational guidance services and AI-powered tools while celebrating 14 years in the EdTech sector. It has counselled more than 10 lakh students since its establishment, including over 1 lakh students in the last 12 months.
The announcement comes at a time when online and distance learning are in high demand. This mode of education has become an easy and affordable option for busy students, working professionals, and other learners who want to pursue higher education with flexibility. Despite the growing demand for online and distance courses in India, most students face challenges while making a final decision. There are various government and private universities in India that offer popular and industry-relevant bachelor’s and master’s online degree courses. However, students still struggle to find courses that align with their educational background, career goals, interests, and budget.
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One of the biggest challenges faced by students and working professionals is understanding the validity and recognition of online and distance education degrees. Many learners are unsure whether a degree earned through these modes is recognized by the Government of India and accepted by employers, government organizations, and higher education institutions. They often have questions about UGC and UGC-DEB approvals, degree validity, eligibility for government jobs, and whether their qualifications will be accepted for promotions, competitive examinations, and postgraduate studies. This lack of clarity can make it difficult for students and working professionals to identify a recognized and suitable online or distance education program that aligns with their academic and career goals.
The abundance of information available on the internet can also create so much confusion. Due to this, students are unable to distinguish between verified and unverified information. Many learners are also unaware of scholarship options, the fee payment process, EMI options, admission dates, the application process, placement assistance, and student support services of universities. Students from smaller cities and remote areas face additional barriers due to limited access to counselling. As a result, choosing the right university and course has become a very complex process for them.
Distance Education School helps students overcome these challenges and simplifies their educational journey. It was founded in 2012 with a vision to change lives by providing free expert guidance on online and distance education in India. It has a team of expert counsellors who help students choose the right university and course according to their budget, career goals, market trends, and interests. In addition, the Distance Education Portal provides AI-powered tools to help students make the right decisions, including university and course suggestions, comparison tools, an eligibility checker, personalized counselling scheduling, scholarship coupon codes, CV building and scoring, and an ROI calculator. These tools are designed to help students select a course according to their requirements.
The platform currently provides information about online and distance education programs offered by its university partners, including Lovely Professional University, Amity University, Manipal University, Jain University, and several others. Apart from this, it also provides reliable information on more than 200 universities, including global universities, government, private, and open universities of India. Students can easily explore various graduate and postgraduate programs of these universities across multiple disciplines and compare available options based on eligibility, curriculum, fees, and career outcomes. They can also check the list of UGC-DEB-approved online and distance learning universities in India, WES-accredited universities, and NAAC-approved institutions. One of the most important resources available on the portal is the list of fake universities in India. This list helps students identify such institutions and avoid taking admission to universities that are not recognized by the UGC.
“Over the last 14 years, we have seen a shift in how students are approaching graduate and postgraduate degree programs. Since 2020, the growth of online and distance learning has created more opportunities for students because this mode of learning is flexible and affordable for busy students and working professionals. For this, they also need reliable information and guidance from a trusted person,” said Rajesh Kumar, Director of Sales & Operations of Distance Education School. He further added, “Our aim is very simple: to help students through free expert career counselling, the right information, and technology-driven support systems.” The 14-year milestone reflects the trust that students across the country have placed in us. It has also given us greater motivation to provide quality educational information, improve student support services, and utilize the power of technology. “
As online and distance education continues to grow, students and professionals need access to accurate information, trusted guidance, and personalized support. All these factors help students make better educational decisions for their future. With expanded access to university partnerships, educational resources, counselling services, and AI-powered guidance tools, the organization aims to support more students in pursuing higher education with flexibility.
