UGC, which took over the regulatory functions of the Distance Education Council some time back, warned of action against universities and institutes offering diploma, bachelors and masters level programme in engineering and technology through the distance mode.
These institutes could, however, continue to offer MBA and MCA.
The development came against the backdrop of reports of several institutes admitting students into the engineering courses, leaving them at a peril.
"No university or institution or deemed to be university or institution should offer diploma, bachelors and master level programme in engineering and technology other than MBA or MCA till the finalisation of the UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations 2014 or notification of relevant regulations by an independent regulatory authority," UGC said in a notice issued to all the institutes.