How to Apply for an Online Degree in India: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

17 April 2026By DegreeCompare Editorial TeamGuides

Applying for an online degree in India takes 15–30 minutes and can be done entirely from your phone or laptop. There is no entrance exam for most programs, no campus visit required, and admissions are open year-round at many universities.

All universities referenced below are UGC-DEB entitled, meaning their online degrees are fully valid across India.

At a Glance: The Application Process

StepWhat You DoTime Required
1Choose your program1–3 days (research)
2Verify UGC entitlement5 minutes
3Check eligibility5 minutes
4Gather documents30 minutes
5Fill the application form15–20 minutes
6Pay the fee10 minutes
7Receive confirmation1–7 days

Step 1: Choose Your Program

This is the most important step. The right program depends on your career goals, budget, and learning preferences.

FactorWhat to Consider
Degree levelUG (BBA, BCA, B.Com, BA) or PG (MBA, MCA, M.Com, M.Sc)?
BudgetPrograms range from ₹18,000 to ₹3,29,000
SpecialisationDo you need a specific track like Data Science, Healthcare, or Finance?
University brandDoes employer perception matter for your target roles?
Placement supportDo you need career services, or do you already have a job?

Use DegreeCompare's program comparison tool to filter by stream, university, fees, and accreditation. For MBA specifically, see Best Online MBA Programs in India 2026.

Step 2: Verify UGC-DEB Entitlement

Confirm the university and program are on the UGC-DEB entitled list. A degree from a non-entitled university has no legal validity. For a complete explanation, read Is an Online Degree Valid in India?

Step 3: Check Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate (UG) Programs

ProgramMinimum Eligibility
BBA10+2 from any stream, 45–50% marks
BCA10+2 with Mathematics/CS, 45% marks
B.Com10+2 from any stream, 40–45% marks

Postgraduate (PG) Programs

ProgramMinimum Eligibility
MBABachelor's degree, 40–50% marks (varies by university)
MCABCA/B.Sc CS or equivalent, 45–50% marks
M.ComB.Com or equivalent, 45–50% marks

Amity has the lowest eligibility bar — 40% for MBA. IGNOU, Manipal, and Chandigarh require 50% for most PG programs.

Not sure if you qualify?

Our counsellors can check your eligibility for free and recommend the best programs for your profile.

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Step 4: Gather Your Documents

Documents Required for UG Programs

DocumentFormatNotes
10th marksheetPDF/JPGFor date of birth and academic record
12th marksheetPDF/JPGPrimary eligibility proof
12th passing certificatePDF/JPGSome universities require both
Passport-size photoJPG/PNGRecent, white background, 200KB–1MB
Government IDPDF/JPGAadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID
Signature scanJPG/PNGOn white paper, under 500KB

Additional Documents for PG Programs

DocumentFormatNotes
Bachelor's degree certificatePDF/JPGOr provisional certificate
Bachelor's consolidated marksheetPDF/JPGAll semesters / years
Work experience certificatePDF/JPGIf applicable

Step 5: Fill the Application Form

Option A: Apply Through DegreeCompare (Recommended)

  1. Browse programs on DegreeCompare
  2. Select your preferred program
  3. Click "Apply Now" or "Get Free Counselling"
  4. Fill in your basic details (name, email, phone, qualification)
  5. A university counsellor contacts you within 24–48 hours

Option B: Apply Directly on the University Portal

UniversityApplication Portal
IGNOUignou.ac.in
Manipal University Onlineonlinemanipal.com
Amity University Onlineamityonline.com
Chandigarh University Onlinecuchd.in
LPU Onlineonline.lpu.in
NMIMS Onlinenmimsonline.com
Jain University Onlineonlinejain.com
Symbiosis Onlinescdl.net
Sikkim Manipal Universitysmude.edu.in
Sharda University Onlineshardaonline.ac.in

Step 6: Pay the Fee

MethodUniversities That Accept It
Online payment (UPI, debit/credit card, net banking)All universities
EMI (zero-cost)Amity, Manipal, LPU, Sharda
Semester-wise paymentAll universities
One-time full payment (often discounted)Amity, Manipal
Demand draftIGNOU, SMU

Always pay through the university's official portal — never pay fees to a third party or agent.

Step 7: Receive Confirmation and Start Classes

TimelineWhat Happens
ImmediatelyPayment confirmation email/SMS
1–3 daysAdmission confirmation letter
3–7 daysLMS login credentials
Week 1–2Orientation session
Week 2–4Classes begin (live + recorded)

Admission Timeline: When to Apply

UniversityIntake CyclesApplication Window
IGNOUJanuary & JulyRolling admissions
ManipalJanuary, May & SeptemberRolling
AmityMonthly intakesRolling
Chandigarh UniversityFebruary & AugustRolling
LPUJanuary & JulyRolling
NMIMSJanuary & JulyRolling

There is no "late" application — unlike campus admissions, online programs do not have a single competitive admission window.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Applying to a non-UGC-DEB entitled university — always verify first.
  2. Choosing based on fees alone — consider placement support and specialisation range.
  3. Uploading low-quality documents — use a scanner app for clean PDFs.
  4. Ignoring specialisation choice — research which aligns with your career goals.
  5. Paying fees to agents or third parties — always pay directly on the university portal.
  6. Not checking NAAC expiry — confirm the grade is current.
  7. Skipping the counselling call — free counselling helps you confirm eligibility and choose wisely.

Still researching? See Best Online MBA Programs, Cheapest Online Degrees, or IGNOU vs Manipal vs Amity.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. None of the 10 universities on DegreeCompare require an entrance exam for online degree admissions.

From application submission to receiving LMS credentials, expect 3–7 working days.

Yes. There is no restriction on simultaneous applications. Apply to 2-3 options and finalise after counselling.

Most universities accept a provisional degree certificate or final semester marksheet as proof of eligibility.

No. There is no upper age limit for online degree admissions at any university on DegreeCompare.

Ready to explore your options?

Compare 50+ verified online programs across 10 UGC-entitled universities on DegreeCompare.

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