This document presents the norms and standards for computer education in India through distance mode, including the Masters in Computer Applications (MCA) and Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA) programs. These norms and standards were considered and approved by the Distance Education Council, Indira Gandhi National Open University (India), at its 12th meeting held in December 1996. The following topics are addressed: curriculum design; eligibility criteria; admission procedure; duration; the measure of a course/program; modularity in programs; class size; teaching and learning strategies; nature of institutions; learning resources; student support services; delivery mechanism; evaluation; faculty; fee structure; content structure, instructional inputs, and processes; pre-counseling and career guidance; general considerations for evaluating the suitability of a computer education program such as the MCA or BCA; counselor training; infrastructural facility requirements; library; the BCA; and monitoring and performance review. A list of open universities and correspondence course institutions in India is included. (MES)