The Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), (Formerly known as Institute of Correspondence Education) was established on 3rd March 1976 in the University of Jammu, which was established in 1969 vide Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act following bifurcation of University of Jammu and Kashmir (established in 1948). With the establishment of DDE, University of Jammu became a dual mode university from a conventional University to achieve the following 
objectives:-

• To provide educational opportunities to those students who could not take advantage of conventional institutions of higher learning, particularly weaker and under-privileged sections of the society inhabiting remote and inaccessible hilly areas of Jammu region.
• To provide flexibility with regard to enrolment, age of entry, choice of courses, methods of learning and the completion of the programme.
• To optimally harness institution’s human capital, infrastructure, learning resources and support services to enhance the quality of design and delivery of the courses offered.
• To make provision for research, advancement and dissemination of knowledge. 
• The Directorate offers Undergraduate and Post Graduate programmes ranging from conventional B.A/B.Com. Degree to professional programme like PGDBM. The enrolment has grown from 100 distance learners in the year of its establishment to more than 11254 distance learners in 2018-19. The multi faculty institution has 11 permanent teachers with a strong orientation and experience in distance education. The Directorate also uses the services of contractual teachers, visiting faculty and guest faculty. In addition, the Directorate also organizes extension and special lectures for the distance learners.
• Self-Learning Material (SLM) is provided to the distance learners by hand and through post.
• The Directorate has adequate infrastructure in the form of halls  for  Personal Contact Programme (PCP), seminar presentation, viva-voce and counseling sessions. The Directorate has a well stocked library with a collection of over 36987 books and a computer laboratory with internet and Wi-Fi facility.
• Directorate of Distance Education has also established a network of UG Learners Support Centres at Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur, Bhaderwah, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar to ensure effective academic and administrative support to distance learners.
• The faculty, administrative staff and support services staff of the Directorate are trained and committed to provide excellent academic service and counseling to the satisfaction of distance learners.

National Service Scheme (NSS):

The Directorate offers an opportunity to the P.G. distance learners to enroll as NSS volunteers for their holistic personality development and also to engage them in community reach out activities.NSS Unit, DDE organizes workshops for the integrated development of the volunteers. The volunteers also attend regular, special and NIC camps.