SRMIST Marks Major Milestone as Over 4,300 Distance Learners Graduate in 2025

SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) held its 2025 graduation ceremony for online and distance education learners, marking an important moment for over 4,300 students who completed their programmes this year. The ceremony, organised by the Directorate of Online & Distance Education (DODE), reflected the university’s growing focus on flexible, high-quality learning for students across India and abroad.

I chose to write about this because online and distance education has become a lifeline for many learners who cannot attend regular classes due to work, family commitments, or financial constraints. This graduation shows how education is truly opening up, and SRMIST’s model is a good example of how universities can support working professionals, homemakers, and remote learners. Many of these graduates studied late at night, during weekends or holidays, proving that with the right support, learning can continue at any stage of life. Understanding this shift is important because the future of education in India is increasingly hybrid, flexible and learner-driven.

Growth of SRMIST’s Online and Distance Education

The 2025 ceremony showcased how SRMIST has strengthened its distance and online programmes over the years. The DODE team has built a structure that balances academic standards with flexibility, making it easier for students to study without leaving their jobs or hometowns.

Students used interactive digital materials, live sessions, recorded lectures and a dedicated learning management system to complete their courses. This approach is especially helpful for those who want to upskill without stepping away from their careers.

Highlights from the Graduation Ceremony

A total of 4,315 students received degrees, diplomas and certificates
About 1,925 students attended the ceremony in person
Nearly 2,390 students received their certificates in absentia
50 students were honoured with rank medals for academic excellence

Programme-wise Breakdown

MBA: 2,534 graduates
MCA: 1,365 graduates
M.Com: 39 graduates
M.Sc: 22 graduates
MA: 15 graduates
BBA: 88 graduates
BCA: 100 graduates
B.Com: 22 graduates
BA: 22 graduates
Diploma: 8 awards

Messages from SRMIST Leadership

During the ceremony, SRMIST leaders appreciated the determination of students who managed work, family responsibility and academic workload all at once. The Vice Chancellor highlighted that the strength of distance education lies in its ability to blend seamlessly with everyday life. He pointed out that many learners often attend classes from home, during breaks at work, or late at night, showing the changing face of higher education.

The Director of Online Education also emphasised that SRMIST’s programmes follow national regulations and maintain quality through expert faculty, strong digital infrastructure and well-prepared study materials.

Why This Graduation Matters

This milestone holds significance for several reasons:

Accessibility: It gives students from remote towns, working backgrounds or personal commitments the chance to study.
Career Growth: Many students, especially from the MBA and MCA programmes, pursued courses to move ahead professionally without taking a break.
Flexible Learning Models: SRMIST’s approach proves that distance education can be structured, supportive and effective.
Growing Demand: The large number of graduates reflects how online learning has become a mainstream choice in India.

The Road Ahead for SRMIST

Looking at the response to the 2025 graduation, SRMIST is likely to expand its digital education initiatives. More programmes, stronger online tools, and better student support systems may come next. The university’s focus on making education inclusive and accessible is expected to attract even more learners in the coming years.

19,518 Unrecognised Schools in India; Highest in Jharkhand and Bihar: Education Ministry

The education ministry has released new data revealing that India has 19,518 schools operating without official recognition. These are institutions that function without meeting basic norms related to infrastructure, teacher qualifications, safety standards or academic guidelines mandated by the law. Among all states, Jharkhand has the highest number of unrecognised schools, followed by Bihar and Assam. Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, on the other hand, have reported the lowest numbers in this category.

Many families choose such schools due to affordability or lack of good alternatives nearby, without realising that these institutions neither guarantee valid certificates nor meet required safety and quality norms. This creates a situation where children are being taught, but their education remains unofficial and unprotected. Understanding these numbers is important because it reflects both a gap in regulation and a deeper challenge of educational access in underserved regions. If we want a fair education system, it must provide quality learning along with safety, recognition and accountability.

States with Highest Number of Unrecognised Schools

According to the ministry’s data, these states have the largest number of schools running without recognition:

Jharkhand: 5,701 unrecognised schools
Bihar: 4,159 unrecognised schools
Assam: 2,475 unrecognised schools

These schools often operate in areas where government or recognised private schools are scarce. Parents prefer them due to low fees or easy access, even though they lack compliance with required norms.

Where the Numbers Are Lowest

States with the least unrecognised schools are:

Karnataka
Madhya Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Chhattisgarh

These states have better monitoring policies and relatively stronger implementation of recognition norms. It also reflects better access to recognised schools in many districts.

Why Do Unrecognised Schools Operate?

Several reasons allow such institutions to keep functioning:

Lack of nearby government schools in remote areas
Expensive private schools in urban pockets pushing parents toward cheaper options
Delayed or difficult approval processes for schools seeking recognition
Weak monitoring and local enforcement

In many cases, these schools fill a need but fail to meet legal standards.

Risks for Students Studying in Unrecognised Schools

Students enrolled in such schools face several challenges:

Certificates may not be valid, affecting admission to higher classes
Poor infrastructure may compromise safety
Untrained teachers can lead to weak learning outcomes
No accountability for academic performance or student protection

Parents may save money in the short term but risk their children’s future in the long run.

What Can Government and Schools Do?

To address this issue fairly, steps should include:

Making recognition procedures simpler and quicker
Providing financial support to schools willing to upgrade facilities
Strict monitoring but without shutting down schools that serve remote areas abruptly
Promoting community awareness about the importance of recognition

A balanced approach can protect children without removing access to education in underserved districts.