Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak has issued a strong rebuttal to recent questions raised by political figures regarding its accreditation status and the validity of its degrees. The university has categorically stated that its prestigious NAAC Grade A+ status remains intact and all its distance and online programmes are fully legitimate.
University Leadership Addresses Concerns Head-On
This clarification comes days after Congress MP from Rohtak, Deepender Singh Hooda, and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala sought action against university officials over its National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) ranking. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, MDU Registrar Dr Krishan Kant Gupta and Dean of Academic Affairs Prof S C Malik presented a detailed defence of the institution's standing.
The officials emphasized that MDU continues to strictly follow all national regulatory norms and is committed to quality in teaching, research, and outreach. They provided a clear timeline to explain the current situation regarding accreditation.
Clarifying the NAAC Transition Framework
The university leadership explained that MDU was accredited with Grade A+ in 2019 for five years under the Revised Accreditation Framework (RAF). However, before this cycle concluded, the NAAC announced a major shift to a new system. Public notices issued on January 27, 2024, and December 5, 2025, introduced a transition to a 'Basic (Binary) Accreditation' followed by 'Maturity-Based Graded Levels (MBGL)' as recommended by the Dr Radhakrishnan Committee.
For institutions like MDU, whose RAF validity was set to expire during this transition window, the NAAC has extended validity for up to three months after the launch of the MBGL system. This allows them to apply under the new format. "In simple terms, the NAAC itself has put a transition framework in place and universities like MDU continue to be treated as accredited during this period," stated Registrar Dr Gupta.
He further revealed that MDU had proactively written to the NAAC before the end of its accreditation cycle, expressing readiness to apply under the new system and seeking continuity of its A+ grade. "The moment NAAC operationalises the new methodology, we will apply," he assured.
Reaffirming Academic Excellence and Degree Validity
On the question of academic quality, Prof Malik highlighted the university's consistent performance. Under Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajbir Singh, MDU was ranked 43rd among state public universities in the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It has remained in the top-100 universities in India for over five years. Adding to its research credentials, 22 MDU researchers were listed among the world's top 2% scientists in 2025 based on Stanford University data.
Addressing specific concerns about the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), the officials stated unequivocally that all programmes are run in full compliance with the University Grants Commission's Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online regulations. The necessary approvals are valid up to the 2025-26 academic session.
The UGC-Distance Education Bureau (DEB) has generated unique DEB IDs for all students admitted in the 2025-26 session, a key marker of regulatory validity. "Every learner enrolled in an approved programme will complete it and receive a valid degree," Dr Gupta stressed. The university also has plans to launch new distance and online programmes, reinforcing its commitment to this mode of education.
With this detailed clarification, MDU Rohtak aims to put to rest any doubts regarding its accredited status and the value of its degrees, asserting its position as a leading institution adhering to all national standards.
