Overview

• Official Name: Guru Nanak Dev University Centre for Distance Education (GNDU CDE)
• Common Short Names: GNDU CDE, GNDU Distance Education
• Type: State University (Distance Education Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar)
• Year Established: Guru Nanak Dev University established in 1969; Centre for Distance Education started in 1997
• Campus: Amritsar, Punjab, India
• Approvals & Affiliations: Recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 12(B); accredited by NAAC with Grade A (Cycle 3; validation in 2023) (Source)
• Official Website: http://dde.gndu.ac.in

Quick Facts

• Founder: Government of Punjab (as part of GNDU)
• Vice Chancellor (GNDU): Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu (Source)
• Director (Distance Education): Prof. Arvind Kumar (as per latest info)
• Student Population (Approx.): Over 15,000 distance learners enrolled annually
• Departments/Faculties: Multiple faculties including Arts, Commerce, Computer Applications, Education, Science
• Contact: Phone: +91-183-2258820, Email: dde@gndu.ac.in, Address: GNDU Centre for Distance Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005
• NAAC Grade: A (2023)
• Rankings: GNDU ranked 97th overall by NIRF 2023 (Source)

Courses & Programs

• Major Faculties: Arts, Commerce, Computer Applications, Education, Science
• Popular Courses:
  • B.A. (Distance) – 3 years, Distance mode
  • B.Com. (Distance) – 3 years, Distance mode
  • B.C.A. (Distance) – 3 years, Distance mode
  • M.A. (History, English, Punjabi, Political Science) – 2 years, Distance mode
  • M.Com. – 2 years, Distance mode
  • M.Sc. (IT, Mathematics) – 2 years, Distance mode
  • Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma courses (e.g., PGDCA) – 1 year, Distance mode
  • Ph.D. – Research under regular mode through university departments
• Mode: Exclusively Distance Education with study centres across Punjab

Admissions

• Admission Modes: Merit-based through marks in qualifying exams; no entrance exam for most courses.
• Entrance Exams: Not applicable for most distance courses; For Ph.D. admissions university conducts entrance; regular mode admission separate.
• Typical Admission Timeline:
  • Application start: May-June
  • Admission closes: August-September
  • Academic session begins: September-October
  Official updates: GNDU Distance Education Admissions
• Application Process:
  1. Visit the official distance education portal: dde.gndu.ac.in
  2. Download the prospectus and read admission guidelines.
  3. Register online through the admission link provided.
  4. Fill application form and upload relevant documents.
  5. Pay application and admission fees online.
  6. Submit form and take printout for records.
  Offline applications accepted through study centres in limited cases.

Eligibility Criteria

• UG Courses: Passed 10+2 or equivalent from recognized board.
• PG Courses: Graduation in relevant discipline with minimum 45-50% marks (varies by course).
• Ph.D.: Master's degree with minimum 55% marks; entrance test and interview.
• Documents Required:
  • 10th and 12th Marksheets
  • Graduation/PG Degree Certificates & Marksheets
  • Passport size photographs
  • Identity Proof (Aadhar/PAN/Voter ID)
  • Demand Draft/Payment receipt of application fees

Fee Structure & Scholarships

• Indicative Fee Ranges:
  • UG Programs: ₹15,000 - ₹25,000 per year
  • PG Programs: ₹20,000 - ₹30,000 per year
  • Fee Heads: Tuition fee, Examination fee, Study material charges
• Hostel Fees: Not applicable for distance education students
• Scholarships & Financial Aid:
  • Punjab Government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories (Source)
  • GNDU merit-based waivers available; apply with admission form
  • Central and state government schemes for minority and backward classes

Placements & Career Outcomes

• Placement Highlights: Distance Education does not have placement cell; regular university placements managed by GNDU Career Planning & Counselling Cell (Source)
• Internship Support: Students encouraged to secure internships independently as per course requirements
• Top Recruiters: Not applicable for distance courses; for regular students, recruiters include companies from IT, banking, education sectors

Campus & Facilities

• Facilities Available for Distance Learners:
  • Study Centres with access to library and academic support across Punjab
  • Online study materials and digital resources on official portal
  • Video lectures and e-content
  • Helpdesk support via phone and email
• Campus Facilities (GNDU Amritsar):
  • Hostels, Mess, Sports complexes
  • Central Library with rich academic resources
  • Research labs, Wi-Fi campus
  • Healthcare center
  • Student clubs and annual fest “Nakshe”
  • Transport facilities connecting to Amritsar city

Faculty & Research

• Distance Education Faculty: Experienced professors from various disciplines engaged in course design and academic support
• Research Centres: GNDU hosts multiple research centres — distance education offers limited research supervision; Ph.D. scholars registered under regular departments
• Major Grants/MoUs: GNDU participates in national research projects and academic collaborations (Source)

Rankings & Reputation

• NIRF Ranking 2023: GNDU ranked 97th overall among Indian universities (Source)
• NAAC Accreditation: Grade A with CGPA 3.36 (3rd Cycle, 2023) (Source)
• QS India, India Today, Outlook rankings for distance education specifically: Not available

Results, Cut-Offs & Seat Matrix

• Results: Published on official Distance Education website http://dde.gndu.ac.in
• Seat Matrix: Open merit-based with flexible intake; No fixed seat caps for popular programs
• Cut-Offs: Based on minimum qualifying marks; no entrance cut-offs

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar (~14 km)
• Nearest Railway Station: Amritsar Junction (~5 km)
• City Connectivity: Well connected by buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws to city centre and university campus

FAQs

• Q1: How can I apply for distance education programs at GNDU?
  Visit dde.gndu.ac.in and follow the online application process.
• Q2: Are entrance exams required for distance courses?
  No, admission is usually merit-based on qualifying exam marks.
• Q3: What is the duration of UG courses through distance mode?
  Typically 3 years for bachelor's degrees.
• Q4: Does GNDU provide study material for distance learners?
  Yes, study material is provided digitally and via study centres.
• Q5: Are fee concessions available?
  Yes, scholarships are available for reserved categories and meritorious students.
• Q6: Is hostel facility available for distance learners?
  No, hostel facility is generally for regular campus students only.
• Q7: How are exams conducted for distance education?
  Exams are held at designated centres as per schedule announced on the official website.
• Q8: Whom can I contact for academic support?
  Use official helpline phone +91-183-2258820 or email dde@gndu.ac.in.
• Q9: Can distance education students pursue Ph.D.?
  Ph.D. programs are mostly offered under regular mode; however, contact GNDU research cell for details.
• Q10: When does the academic session start?
  The session generally begins in September-October every year.