​Identify the correct chronological sequence of the establishment of the following universities?​

A. Bhoj Open University

B. Karnataka State Open University

C. Netaji Subhash Open University

D. Nalanda Open University

E. Yashwant Rao Chavan Open University

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

To determine the correct chronological sequence, we list the establishment year of each State Open University (SOU):

• D. Nalanda Open University (NOU), Patna, Bihar 1987
• E. Yashwant Rao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik, Maharashtra 1989
• A. Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University (MPBOU), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 1991
• B. Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysore, Karnataka 1992
• C. Netaji Subhash Open University (NSOU), Kolkata, West Bengal 1997

The correct chronological order of establishment is: D (1987), E (1989), A (1991), B (1992), C (1997).

Information Booster

• The establishment of State Open Universities followed the setup of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 1985, which serves as the apex body for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in India.
• The ODL system, which includes these universities, aims to provide access, equity, and quality in education, particularly to those who cannot attend traditional regular universities.
• These universities are recognized by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), a statutory body under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• The establishment of these SOUs demonstrates the commitment of state governments to expanding the reach of higher education through flexible learning methods.

Additional Information

• The Nalanda Open University (D) began as an initiative under the Government of Bihar and was later established by a dedicated Act in 1995, though its foundational work started earlier.
• The Karnataka State Open University (B) has faced some regulatory challenges in the past regarding the territorial jurisdiction of its distance learning programs, leading to stricter DEB guidelines.
• Bhoj Open University (A) focuses heavily on serving rural populations and often collaborates with various governmental and non-governmental organizations for program delivery.
• Netaji Subhash Open University (C) is named after the prominent freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and is a major provider of ODL in the eastern region.