The Instituteof Distanceand Open Learning (IDOL), formerly known as Post Graduate Correspondence School (PGCS) was established in May 1998 with the objective to ensure the opportunity to pursue quality higher education to the large number of students who could not pursue higher education through conventional mode of education. IDOL strives to accommodate the students who cannot enroll in the conventional system of higher education due to various factors like limited number of seats in Post Graduate classes, livelihood compulsion etc. and aims to impart quality education in an intellectually challenging learning environment.

The Instituteof Distanceand Open Learning (IDOL) completed 13 years of successful existence in May 2011 and aims to continue the mission of spreading and providing quality education to the students. Starting with 514 students and 6 courses in May 1998, IDOL now witnesses its growth in all capacities with an enrollment of more than fifteen thousand students and 25 programmes in a learning environment equipped with latest technologies. IDOL is the only institution in the country to offer Post Graduate courses in five languages 8th Schedule languages viz Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, Bodo, English and Sanskrit. Apart from self-learning materials and counselling services, IDOL aims to maximize learning opportunities and the first E-learning portal of the North-East, developed by IDOL and Radio Luit, the CommunityRadioCenterare latest modes in student support services. With the commitment to ensure quality education to the masses, IDOL is launching undergraduate programmes from the academic session 2011-12 and the journey from Correspondence School to Institute of Distance and Open learning is not only a leap in quantity but also in quality.