Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open Univeristy (PSOU), Patiala as a institution for open learning in Punjab, has been established with effect from 20th December 2019 by an Act 19 of 2019 notified vide Notification No. 23-Leg/2019 dated 20.12.2019 of the State Legislature of Punjab as a State University and is empowered to award degrees as specified by the UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act 1956 at its own departments, its constitutent colleges and/or through its affiliated colleges in regular mode with the approval of its statutory bodies/councils, wherever required.