Abstract: 

Professional education in its various forms plays a significant role in socio-economic development and empowerment. Its primary objective is to prepare the learners for gainful employment or to become selfentrepreneurs. The progress in information and communication technologies (ICT) has made it possible to launch professional or technical programmes through distance mode most cost-effectively. In this paper, we present a case study of the Diploma in lnterior Design and Decoration programme launched by YCM Open University, which inculcates values like high quality skills, self-reliance and income generation surety in students. We have analysed its usefulness through attributes such as needsatisfaction, fulfilment of objectives, quality of learning materials and face-toface counselling. It has been hailed as a landmark professional programme.