The Nalanda University offers courses in higher learning through distance mode of education to such students of the State of Bihar in particular and other students of the country in general who have been denied admission in conventional institutions or who are unable to study in such institutions as day boarders, but are still desirous to upgrade their educational attainments. The courses offered by the University are innovative, job oriented and self satisfying. It may be mentioned that the Nalanda Open University is the 4th oldest open University of the country. During its existence of last 21 years, the University has contributed immensely in spreading higher education through the distance mode of learning.The University is recognized by Distance Education Council (DEC), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Ministry of H.R.D., Govt. of India, for imparting education through distance mode of learning.

The aims and objectives of the University are:

(a) To provide educational opportunities to those who are unable to take up formal
education and are yet desirous to upgrade their educational qualification and acquire
state of the art knowledge in various fields of learning through correspondence
course, contact programmes at study centres and other means of mass
communication, like-radio, satellite, and electronic media.
(b) To provide flexibility in enrolment to various courses of higher education in matters, like,
age of entry, choice of courses, methods of learning, conduct of examination, operation
of programmes etc.
(c) To offer degree, diploma and certificate courses in different disciplines of learning
and provide for research and advance learning.
(d) To disseminate knowledge and undertake activities for advancement of art, education,
literature, science and technology.
(e) To provide special facilities, through distance mode of education, to individuals and
groups, like, elderly people, in-service personnel, housewives, people living in remote
areas, socially disadvantaged people and others to upgrade their skill and acquire
higher academic qualifications.
(f) To lay emphasis on introduction and teaching of vocational, as well as, conventional
courses, leading to award of degree, diploma and certificate.
(g) To create awareness for self-sufficiency and act as a catalyst to equip people with
knowledge and higher qualification to enable them to become suitable for new job
opportunities.
(h) To provide modern courses in rural, agricultural, industrial and commercial disciplines
to meet people's aspirations in these areas.
(i) To design learning material in a manner which may lead to improvement in socioeconomic
conditions of the general masses.
(j) To bring awareness in women, children, and downtrodden of their social rights,
duties and legal status in the society