Distance education is a mode of education in which a student is able to learn and gain knowledge without attending regular classes in a college or university. Distance education helps students in accessing the information and knowledge when the source of it is far away due to distance, time or some other reasons. Distance education demands rise with the advancement in technology. At first distance education is started for the sake of rural areas but now it is popular among urban areas too. The use of internet and computers make distance learning more easier as the information are more easily accessible for students. There are many distance learning colleges and universities all over India which offer lot of courses to its students. Some distance learning courses are BBA, BCA, BA, B.Com, MBA, MCA, MA etc.
Some courses are very popular among students. Distance learning MBA is one of those famous courses. Many colleges and universities provide this course. Master in Business Administration (MBA) is a post-graduate programme offers to students throughout the country. The course is available in many branches. It attracts the students from various disciplines. Another famous post-graduate programme among students is distance learning MCA. Master of Computer Application is a course which deals in the creation and handling of computer softwares. The duration of the course is 3 years. Other than these programmes distance learning PhDis also popular among students. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) is a research based course having the duration of 2 to 5 years. A student has to make a thesis for the completion of the programme and after the programme a student has awarded with the title of Doctor.
The popular universities of distance learning are Indra Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi; Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad; Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad; Karnataka State Open University, Mysore; Krishanakant Handique State Open University, Guwahati; M.P.Bhoj(Open) University, Bhopal; Nalanda Open University, Patna; Netaji Subhas Open University, Kolkata; Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai; U.P.Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad; Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota; Yashwantrao Chavan Maharshtra Open University, Nasik; Pt. Sunderlal Sharma (Open) University, Bilaspur etc. There is an open university in Rajasthan which become quite popular among students now a day. Jodhpur National University (JNU) is located in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The campus of the university is spread over 30 acres of land in the city suburbs. The university is recognized by UGC and providing education to 13 thousand students all over the country. There are four faculties in the university namely Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Faculty of Management and Faculty of Applied Sciences. Jodhpur National University organizes job fair since 2010 and nearly 27 thousand students find jobs because of job fair.