Gauhati University Institute of Distance and Open Learning (GUIDOL) is the former name of the Gauhati University Centre for Distance and Open Education (GUCDOE). It was established in May 1998 as a constituent unit of Gauhati University (GU), Guwahati, Assam. The centre is recognised by the University Grants Commission Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) and provides postgraduate courses through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Its parent university, founded in 1948, is the oldest university in Northeast India and holds a NAAC A+ grade with a CGPA of 3.32.

In the NIRF 2025 rankings, Gauhati University secured the 9th position among State Public Universities. It was also ranked 40th in the University category under NIRF 2024. GUIDOL does not have an independent NIRF position because it is a constituent centre, and its degrees are awarded under Gauhati University.

The centre functions from Gauhati University’s 650-acre campus at Jalukbari in Guwahati. Located beside the Brahmaputra river, the campus is 12 km from the city centre. It includes the Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library, which has more than 850,000 books and 5,000 manuscripts.

Seven postgraduate programmes are available through ODL:

  • Students can choose a 2-year, 4-semester Master of Arts (MA) in Assamese, English, Political Science, Education or Mass Communication.
  • The Master of Commerce (M.Com) follows a 2-year, 4-semester structure.
  • The Master of Science in Information Technology, or M.Sc IT, is also completed over 2 years and 4 semesters.

The complete fee is INR 20,000 for an MA or M.Com and INR 62,000 for M.Sc IT. Every programme uses a fully online, merit-based admission system, and applicants do not need to take an entrance examination.

GUIDOL Admission Dates 2027

GUIDOL has not formally released the 2027 admission schedule. Based on its admission pattern in earlier years, online applications are expected to begin in June 2027.

EventDate
Expected opening of the 2027 online application portalJune 2027

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

GUIDOL Courses and Fees

GUIDOL conducts seven postgraduate courses in arts, commerce and information technology through distance learning. Each programme lasts 2 years and is divided into 4 semesters. According to the 2025 fee structure, MA and M.Com students pay INR 5,000 per semester, while the semester fee for M.Sc IT is INR 15,500.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees
MA (Assamese)2 years (4 semesters)Bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
MA (English)2 years (4 semesters)Bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
MA (Political Science)2 years (4 semesters)Bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
MA (Education)2 years (4 semesters)Bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
MA (Mass Communication)2 years (4 semesters)Bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
M.Com2 years (4 semesters)Any bachelor’s degree from a recognised universityINR 20,000
M.Sc (Information Technology)2 years (4 semesters)BSc (CS), BCA, BSc IT, or BSc with PGDCSA or PGDCAINR 62,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The five MA options cover regional language, communication and social science subjects that may interest graduates from Assam and other northeastern states. M.Sc IT is meant for students with a suitable technical background who want to continue their information technology studies without joining regular classes. Its total fee of INR 62,000 is collected in four instalments of INR 15,500. Students pay all programme fees through Gauhati University’s online payment portal.

GUIDOL Admission Process

Admission to every GUIDOL programme is completed online and depends on marks from the qualifying degree. No entrance test is held. Gauhati University uses the percentage obtained at a UGC-recognised institution to prepare the merit list.

MA and M.Com Admission

A bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognised university makes a student eligible to apply for any MA specialisation. M.Com also accepts graduates from any discipline. After reviewing qualifying marks, the university publishes a merit list and informs selected applicants through the admission portal.

Applicants complete the process through these eight steps:

  • Create an ABC ID, which is the Academic Bank of Credits identifier, through the National Academic Depository portal.
  • Obtain the compulsory DEB ID for ODL students from the UGC Distance Education Bureau student registration portal.
  • Register on Gauhati University’s official application portal while the admission window is open.
  • Use the portal payment gateway to submit the application fee online.
  • Upload scanned copies of the qualifying degree marksheets, transfer certificate, photograph and signature.
  • Choose a preferred Study Centre from the GUIDOL centres operating across Assam and Northeast India.
  • Check the published merit list and, if selected, download the allotment letter.
  • Confirm enrolment by paying the first-semester fee online and completing admission.

M.Sc (Information Technology) Admission

M.Sc IT has a separate academic requirement. An applicant must have completed BSc Computer Science, BCA or BSc IT. A BSc graduate with a PGDCSA, meaning Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science and Applications, or a PGDCA from a UGC-recognised institution may also apply.

Students whose previous degree is not from Gauhati University must provide a migration certificate during document verification. M.Sc IT applicants follow the same eight online stages used for MA and M.Com admission. The distance format allows people working in IT support, software development and data management to earn a formal postgraduate qualification without attending a full-time course.

GUIDOL Campus and Infrastructure

GUIDOL works from the main Gauhati University campus in Jalukbari, Guwahati, Assam. The 650-acre site is beside the Brahmaputra river and lies 12 km from Guwahati’s central business district. Students can reach the campus by road or rail, including through Guwahati Railway Station, while air travellers can use Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

Because GUIDOL is a distance education centre, it has no separate residential or hostel facility. Learners attached to the main university study centre can use the Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library. This academic library contains 850,000 books, 5,000 manuscripts and a section for digital resources. The wider university network also covers 341 affiliated colleges in 15 districts of Assam.

A network of Study Centres supports GUIDOL learners across Assam and other northeastern states. Gauhati University faculty members visit these centres for scheduled contact classes and doubt-clearing sessions. Enrolled students receive study materials at their registered addresses. This arrangement allows learners from smaller towns and rural districts of Assam to study without moving to Guwahati for a regular programme.

GUIDOL vs KKHSOU vs Dibrugarh University IDE

Students seeking a distance postgraduate course in Assam or Northeast India often consider GUIDOL, now GUCDOE, alongside Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) and Dibrugarh University’s Institute of Distance Studies. Each institution has UGC-DEB recognition and mainly serves working people and other students who cannot attend regular campus classes.

ParameterGUIDOL (GUCDOE)KKHSOUDibrugarh University IDE
TypeConstituent unit of Gauhati UniversityStandalone State Open UniversityConstituent unit of Dibrugarh University
Established199820051994
RecognitionUGC-DEBUGC-DEBUGC-DEB
Parent NAAC GradeA+ (Gauhati University)Not applicableA (Dibrugarh University)
MA Total FeesINR 20,000INR 24,600Contact the institution for current fees
MA Specialisations Available5: Assamese, English, Political Science, Education and Mass Communication13+Select humanities specialisations
Admission ModeMerit-based and fully onlineMerit-based and onlineMerit-based

GUIDOL operates under Gauhati University, which has a NAAC A+ grade and held the 40th position in the University category of NIRF 2024. In comparison, KKHSOU functions entirely as an open university and provides more specialisations across a broader range of disciplines. Dibrugarh University IDE may be convenient for students living in Upper Assam who prefer being closer to the parent institution. As their courses use distance learning, none of these three institutions provides conventional campus placements.

GUIDOL FAQs

Ques. Are qualifications earned through GUIDOL accepted for government recruitment?

Ans. Yes. The UGC Distance Education Bureau recognises GUIDOL, now called GUCDOE. Gauhati University awards its degrees, and UGC equivalence rules treat recognised ODL qualifications at par with regular degrees for employment, including government jobs.

Ques. How are students selected for GUIDOL courses?

Ans. GUIDOL does not conduct an entrance examination for any programme. Selection depends entirely on the percentage scored in the required qualifying degree. Eligible graduates can submit their applications directly through the online portal.

Ques. How much does a complete GUIDOL MA programme cost?

Ans. Under the 2025 fee structure, every MA specialisation costs INR 20,000 for the full 2-year course. Students pay INR 5,000 per semester over four semesters, with no further tuition or other charges beyond this semester amount.

Ques. What is the expected opening month for GUIDOL admission in 2027?

Ans. The 2027 application process is expected to begin in June 2027, based on the schedule followed in earlier years. Applicants should check the official Gauhati University website for the confirmed notification and exact dates.

Ques. Are undergraduate distance courses available at GUIDOL?

Ans. GUIDOL currently concentrates on postgraduate education. Its choices are MA in five subjects, M.Com and M.Sc IT. Students seeking undergraduate distance degrees in Assam can consider KKHSOU, which has a wider selection of UG programmes in several disciplines.

Ques. Which academic qualifications are accepted for GUIDOL M.Sc IT?

Ans. Applicants need a BSc in Computer Science, BCA or BSc IT. A BSc degree combined with a PGDCSA or PGDCA from a UGC-recognised university is also accepted. M.Sc IT costs INR 62,000 across two years, payable as INR 15,500 per semester.

Ques. Is the GUIDOL study format suitable for employed students?

Ans. Yes. Its courses follow the ODL format and do not require daily classroom attendance, making them accessible to working professionals. GUIDOL sends learning materials to enrolled students and arranges periodic contact sessions at selected Study Centres across Assam during each semester.

Ques. How do GUIDOL and KKHSOU compare for an MA?

Ans. Both institutions have UGC-DEB recognition and select MA students through merit. GUIDOL is supported by Gauhati University’s NAAC A+ accreditation and charges INR 20,000, compared with INR 24,600 at KKHSOU. However, KKHSOU provides more than 13 MA specialisations, while GUIDOL offers 5. Students can decide according to the subject they need and their distance from the available study centres.