New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS): The Distance Education Council's (DEC's) website Sunday advised students to check the current status of approval or recognition of programmes of universities and institutions offering such facility.

Authorities of DEC, a statutory body of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), said that in the absence of the DEC approval, qualifications acquired through distance education would not be recognized for employment in the central government.

The action has been undertaken by the council upon noticing that certain universities and institutions are misleading students via advertisements for admission in distance education programmes.

"Students are also advised not to take admission at any franchised study centre/contact point. Study centre has to be operated by the university or institution itself within its territorial jurisdiction as per DEC norms only," said the DEC in the statement.