Are online degrees safe? Survey reveals 50% of Indian students fear fraud and validity – The Times of India

A recent survey has raised significant concerns about the legitimacy and security of online education. The study, which surveyed 90,000 students, reveals that half of all prospective students express deep concerns about potential fraudulent practices in the growing online education space.
The survey uncovers that for every 10 students inquiring about online courses, 5 raise red flags over issues like payment security, degree validity, and the authenticity of job placement claims. With the rise of online learning, these concerns highlight the challenges the sector faces in maintaining trust and credibility.
Concerns about payment security, degree validity, and placement claims
The most prevalent worries among students relate to payment security and the legitimacy of the programs they are considering. According to the survey, conducted by College Vidya, an online education platform, 50% of students prioritize checking for UGC (University Grants Commission) approval before even considering an online program. Another 30% of respondents are hesitant to make any payments unless they can verify the program’s credibility. Meanwhile, 20% of students specifically question the truthfulness of career outcome and placement claims made by online education providers.
The survey’s findings align with the warnings issued by the UGC, which has raised concerns about fraudulent programs in fields like Engineering, Medical Sciences, Law, Architecture, and Pharmacy. These disciplines are prohibited from being offered via online or Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes. The restrictions were imposed to ensure that educational standards are upheld and to protect students from being misled.
The increasing trend of cautious decision-making
The growing awareness among students about the need for transparency and verification is evident. As many as 80% of students now take extra steps to verify institutional recognition by visiting the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) website. Additionally, there is an increasing emphasis on understanding fee structures and verifying placement records before making any decisions.
The new requirement that students enrolling in recognized ODL programs must generate a UGC-DEB ID is a significant move aimed at adding another layer of verification and security. This measure, starting soon, aims to provide students with more assurance about the authenticity of their chosen online program.
According to Rohit Gupta, COO of College Vidya, “Students now take several precautionary steps before enrolling in online programs. They carefully check for institutional recognition and placement records, which emphasizes the importance of transparent fee structures and accreditation.”