The decision comes as part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen academic collaboration with foreign countries and align with the National Education Policy of 2020.
The decision comes as part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen academic collaboration with foreign countries and align with the National Education Policy of 2020.
India has taken a firm stance against recognizing online learning credentials from foreign educational institutions.
The decision comes as part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen academic collaboration with foreign countries and align with the National Education Policy of 2020.
The University Grants Commission introduced new regulations titled “University Grants Commission (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2023.”
Qualifications obtained from foreign higher educational institutions will be recognized and granted equivalence under specific conditions. These conditions include the foreign institution being duly recognized in its home country, programs being conducted through regular in-person instruction (excluding online or distance learning), and aligning entry requirements with Indian standards.
The program’s minimum duration should be similar to the corresponding program in India. UGC will assess the equivalence of credit requirements, curricular content, and other aspects. A slight variation of up to 10% in total normalized credit requirements may be considered.
Qualifications obtained in the offshore campuses of Indian or foreign higher educational institutions will be recognized, provided they meet specific approval and accreditation requirements in both India and the host country.
Moreover, qualifications obtained through franchise arrangements will not be considered for recognition and equivalence. International rankings may be considered during the equivalence evaluation.
Meanwhile, qualifications obtained at the school level from foreign boards or schools offering a foreign system of education in foreign countries will be recognized, subject to certain conditions.
UGC has established an online portal for applicants to seek equivalence for their foreign qualifications. The decision will be communicated within 15 days, and in case of approval, an Equivalence Certificate will be issued.
Applicants dissatisfied with UGC’s decision can file an appeal for review within 30 days.
Equivalence certificates issued by the Commission will be accepted by Indian universities for admissions and employment purposes.
However, these regulations do not determine disciplinary parity between different qualifications or their suitability for specific programs or jobs.
Students who have obtained qualifications through collaborative arrangements between India and foreign countries may not need to apply for equivalence.
The commission may consider issuing Equivalence Certificates on a case-by-case basis upon request.
