Distance learning empowers and enriches the knowledge of millions, who have the zeal to learn. Within a context of rapid technological change and demanding market conditions, the Indian education system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities without increased budgets. At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance and technology, often in concert with face-to-face communication, is used to bridge the instructional gap.

The Distance Learning Programme opens new opportunities to obtain professional education without the constraint of location, time and age. It enables you to pursue a degree without interrupting your career. Also working professionals feel a need to upgrade their qualification to excel in their career. Distance learning provides rigorous academic standards and learning resources without going for a formal regular study mode.

In India there has been increase in students enrolling for distance learning courses. The need for distance education courses has been due to non availability of (a) time (b) money or (c) flexibility / mobility to attend regular University Courses.

The admissions in regular University courses have become highly competitive due to limited number of seats available in specialized professional courses. Students are thus going for distance learning or online courses so that they can learn through distance education even doing job. Corporate people are also helping their employees to do specialized courses through distance education or through online courses as it helps in increasing in skills of employee and retaining him as a useful resource. Distance learning in India provides options to many young people who can earn a degree along with their jobs.

Distance learning courses require students to be self disciplined otherwise there are sharp drop outs. In corporate sponsored online courses drop out rates are less as they are linked to other employee benefits on completion of that Online certification. Online education, virtual classrooms, video conferencing, e-learning are emerging as the modern medium for distance education.