The role of education is not only boosting economic growth and development but also to enable people to lead a life of dignity. Access to higher education plays a very important role in socio economic empowerment of common people, inculcating knowledge and skills. According to all India survey on higher education, 2016

17, the estimated Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher education in India is 25.2%, which is calculated for 18

23 years of age group. However, India aims to attain a GER of 30% by 2020. The infras tructure of formal education system (higher education) in India is not adequate for providing education for its entire citizen. ODL system in India plays a very important role in promoting education in India. Moreover, it is only the ODL system, which can promote lifelong learning opportunities and ensure inclusive education for all. SDG

4 talks about ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the role played by Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University in promoting inclusive and equitable quality education in India particularly in the state of Assam. The prime objective of this paper is to highlight the role of ODL in India in improving GER and contributions towards SDG

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