On March 2, 2026, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) signed an agreement granting KSOU the status of a Dual Awarding Body. This recognition allows KSOU to award, assess, and certify learners for training delivered at its approved campuses or centers. This development is a significant milestone for India's Open and Distance Learning (ODL) sector, expanding access to quality vocational education within Karnataka's territorial jurisdiction.
KSOU, which holds an A+ grade from NAAC and was ranked second among Open Universities in the NIRF 2025 rankings, will now integrate professional and vocational courses into its academic programs. The university has already secured NCVET approval for the 'Plant Pathologist' qualification and plans to adopt recognized certification programs and incorporate skill assessment benchmarks in high-growth sectors like IT, healthcare, and other trades.
Key Entities Referenced
NCVET: National Council for Vocational Education and Training, a regulatory body recognizing awarding bodies.
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU): The university recognized by NCVET as a Dual Awarding Body.
Dual Awarding Body status: The recognition granted to KSOU allowing it to award, assess, and certify learners.
Karnataka: The state within whose territorial jurisdiction KSOU is allowed to function.
NAAC: National Assessment and Accreditation Council, which accredited KSOU with an A+ Grade.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
NCVET Recognizes Karnataka State Open
University (KSOU) as Dual Awarding Body
Posted On: 02 MAR 2026 8:15PM by PIB Delhi
NCVET & Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru have signed agreement on 02.03.2026 for
NCVET Recognition as Awarding Body (AB - Dual) to KSOU. Through this recognition, KSOU will be
eligible to award, assess and certify the learners where training is directly being imparted by the Awarding
Body in campuses or training centers owned or fully managed by it for its approved or adopted
qualifications.
Dual Awarding Body status to KSOU, marks a milestone for the Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
ecosystem in India. This recognition allows KSOU to function with Karnataka State territorial jurisdiction,
significantly enhancing access to quality vocational education and skilling through the Open University
model.
KSOU, which is accredited with an A+ Grade by NAAC and ranked 2nd in NIRF 2025 among Open
Universities, will now integrate professional and vocational courses into its academic programs. The
university has already obtained the approval of the ‘Plant Pathologist’ qualification under the NCVET
framework. Moving forward, KSOU aims to adopt recognized certification programs and incorporate skill
assessment benchmarks in its curriculum, specifically in high-growth sectors such as IT, healthcare, and
other trades.***
SH
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