Purpose: The existing literature contains few references on the better adaptors of online distance education amongst STEM (read as science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and non-STEM (composed of humanities, social science and commerce) study groups in an Indian peri-urban context. The study's objective is to determine the better adaptor amongst these two study groups in online distance learning in higher education systems in an Indian peri-urban context. Design/methodology/approach: The investigation was carried out prior to COVID-19 and during the pandemic. The inquiry is triangulated in nature with a disproportionate stratified random sampling approach used to pick 312 post-graduate students (STEM = 135 and non-STEM = 177) from a peri-urban higher education institute in West Bengal, India, using the "Raosoft" scale. Given the prevailing social distance norms, 235 samples of respondents from 312 students were evaluated via telephonic/online interviews during the COVID-19 period. The data were analysed using SPSS 22. Findings: This study's investigations reveal that the STEM respondents have better digital profiles, better basic computing and Internet knowledge and greater digital usage for academic purposes before the pandemic times than the non-STEM group. This prior digital exposure has enabled the STEM group to cope with regular online distance education during the pandemic more quickly than the non-STEM group, as evidenced by their regular attendance in online classes and their greater awareness of its utilitarian role than the other group. Originality/value: The study offers a way forward direction to evolve with more inclusive online distance learning in peri-urban Indian regions.