Institutional Framework for Academic and Skill Development Oversight
Adopted by the Open and Distance Learning Council (ODLC) to ensure academic integrity, quality assurance, and standardized delivery across regions.
The Open and Distance Learning Council (ODLC) operates through a structured institutional framework for academic and skill development oversight to ensure quality assurance, transparency, learner authenticity, and standardized academic and training operations across India and internationally.
This framework governs academic centres, skill-development institutions, wellness and sports training centres, and establishes a clear approval, verification, and accountability mechanism, supported by a non-refundable processing fee policy strictly for administrative and academic evaluation purposes.
This framework does not constitute a commercial, franchise, or profit-distribution model and is aligned with international educational governance and oversight practices.
ODLC Global Headquarters (GHQ)
Supreme Academic and Skill Development Authority
ODLC Global Headquarters (GHQ), India, functions as the central governing, policy-making, and certifying authority for all ODLC academic and skill-development activities worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Final approval of National Coordination Offices (NCOs)
Formulation and enforcement of global academic and skill-development policies
Centralized issuance of certifications, results, and digital verification services
Oversight of academic, vocational, wellness, sports, and performing arts programmes
Resolution of academic, legal, and technical matters
- All NCOs, RCOs, and ALCs operate strictly under the authority and supervision of ODLC GHQ.
ODLC National Coordination Office (NCO) – International
Country-Level Academic and Skill Coordination
Upon approval by ODLC GHQ, an ODLC National Coordination Office (NCO) may be established in a country to coordinate ODLC academic and skill-development activities at the national level.
Authority of NCO
Approved NCOs may establish Regional Coordination Offices (RCOs) within their country strictly in accordance with ODLC norms and policies
NCO acts as the national academic, administrative, and compliance coordination body
Key Responsibilities
National-level coordination of academic, vocational, and skill-development programmes
Supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of RCOs
Verification of RCO documentation, infrastructure, and compliance
Submission of consolidated academic and compliance reports to ODLC GHQ
Liaison with educational institutions and relevant authorities, where applicable
Accountability
All RCOs report directly to the NCO
NCO bears responsibility for all academic, operational, and compliance matters related to RCOs within the country
ODLC Regional Coordination Office (RCO)
Regional / State / Provincial Academic and Skill Supervision
An ODLC Regional Coordination Office (RCO) may be established by an approved NCO to ensure localized academic and skill-development supervision within a defined region, state, or province.
Authority of RCO
RCOs may establish and coordinate the ODLC Accredited Learning Centres (ALCs) and ODLC Skill and Training Centres within their jurisdiction, as per ODLC norms
Key Responsibilities
Verification of ALCs and Skill/Training Centres, including documentation, infrastructure, and trainer qualifications
Physical inspection of:
- Schools and colleges
- Vocational and skill-development institutes
- Gym and Fitness Centres
- Yoga and Wellness Centres
- Sports Training Academies
- Dance and Performing Arts Academies
- Monitoring of academic delivery, training quality, and learner support
Submission of inspection, verification, and compliance reports to the NCO
Regional Language of Felicitation
RCOs may recommend regional or local language support for learner facilitation where academically necessary
Such recommendations apply only to delivery and learner support, while academic standards and certification requirements remain uniform across regions
Accountability
All ALCs and Skill/Training Centres report to the RCO
RCO is responsible for all regional academic, operational, and compliance matters
ODLC Accredited Learning Centres (ALCs)
Institution-Level Academic and Skill Facilitation
ODLC Accredited Learning Centres (ALCs) and Skill / Training Centres may include, but are not limited to:
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Schools and colleges
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Vocational and skill-development institutes
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Gym and Fitness Centres
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Yoga and Wellness Centres
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Sports Training Centres and Academies
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Dance and Performing Arts Academies
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Other approved training centres aligned with skill development objectives
Key Responsibilities
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Learner registration and programme facilitation
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Academic instruction, training, mentoring, and guided practice
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Skill development and performance-based training
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Conduct of assessments and evaluations as per ODLC guidelines
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Maintenance of accurate learner records and documentation
Student Verification and Physical Presence
ALCs and Skill/Training Centres are mandatorily responsible for:
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Verification of learner identity and eligibility documents
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Confirmation of physical presence and active participation of learners, as applicable
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Ensuring that learners are genuine individuals and not proxy or misrepresented candidates
This constitutes the first and most critical level of academic and skill integrity assurance.
Multi-Level Verification and Accountability Structure
Key Responsibilities
ODLC follows a layered verification and oversight mechanism:
Learner verification → ALC / Skill or Training Centre
Centre verification and physical inspection → RCO
Regional compliance review → NCO
Final oversight, audits, and policy enforcement → ODLC GHQ
Centre Processing Fee Policy (Non-Refundable)
To facilitate application processing, document scrutiny, verification, inspections, and administrative evaluation, ODLC prescribes a non-refundable Centre Processing Fee.
Nature of the Processing Fee
Mandatory and non-refundable under all circumstances
Applicable per application and per category
Not an affiliation, accreditation, or franchise fee
Payment of the processing fee does not guarantee approval
Processing Fee Structure
For Indian Applicants (INR)
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Category
|
Processing Fee (Non-Refundable)
|
|---|---|
|
ODLC Accredited Learning Centre (ALC)
|
5,000 /-
|
|
ODLC Regional Coordination Office (RCO)
|
10,000 /-
|
For International Applicants (Fees – USD)
|
Category
|
Processing Fee (Non-Refundable)
|
|---|---|
|
ODLC Accredited Learning Centre (ALC)
|
USD 50
|
|
ODLC Regional Coordination Office (RCO)
|
USD 200
|
|
ODLC National Coordination Office (NCO)
|
USD 500
|
Processing Fee Terms
Fee is strictly for administrative and academic processing
Non-refundable in case of rejection, withdrawal, or non-compliance
Separate fees may apply for affiliation or other academic services, if approved
A fresh processing fee is required for reapplication or change of category
Legal and Technical Responsibility Framework
ALCs / Skill Centres are responsible for learner-level verification and programme delivery
RCOs are responsible for all ALCs and Skill Centres within their region
NCOs are responsible for RCOs within their respective countries
ODLC GHQ acts as the final authority for approvals, certifications, policy formulation, audits, and dispute resolution
Nature of the ODLC Model
ODLC’s NCO–RCO–ALC framework constitutes an institutional governance and oversight structure, not a commercial franchise or profit-distribution system.
Operational sustainability is achieved through administrative and academic cost-recovery mechanisms, consistent with international educational and institutional practices.
Final Statement
The Institutional Framework for Academic and Skill Development Oversight, supported by a transparent Centre Processing Fee Policy, ensures that education, skill training, wellness, sports, and performing arts programmes are delivered in a credible, verifiable, learner-focused, and internationally aligned manner, with clear accountability and centralized academic authority.