The UGC aims to enhance transparency and consistency in the assessment of foreign qualifications, addressing long-standing challenges faced by returning students and facilitating their integration into India’s educational and professional landscape.
India will streamline the recognition of degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned from foreign educational institutions, excluding select professional fields like medicine, law, and architecture – which remain under statutory councils.
Now, students returning with overseas credentials or seeking admission to Indian universities can apply for an “Equivalence Certificate” through a dedicated online portal, ensuring their qualifications align with Indian academic benchmark.
The equivalence certificate issued shall be valid for all academic institutions, colleges, and institutions deemed to be universities, and universities, coming under the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC), for the purposes of pursuing higher education and research; and for the purposes of employment in all public or other bodies wherein an educational qualification recognised by the Commission has been specified as essential.
The UGC has rolled out the “University Grants Commission (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025”, where the framework establishes this mechanism to grant equivalence to degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned from foreign educational institutions, thus facilitating smoother mobility for students pursuing higher education and employment opportunities in India.
However, professional qualifications in fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, and Architecture governed by respective statutory councils in India are excluded.
At its core, the policy – which is into effect immediately – addresses a long-standing need for transparency and consistency in equating foreign qualifications with Indian standards—a process previously marred by ambiguity.
Rigorous evaluation process
A key feature is the rigorous evaluation process.
Qualifications must come from institutions legally recognised in their home countries, and applicants must have met specific academic standards, including entry requirements mirroring those in India.
The Standing Committee, formed for this, will comprise education experts, and assess factors like program duration, credit requirements, and curricular outcomes. For flexibility, the committee will allow a 10 per cent variation in credits.
For instance, a foreign undergraduate degree with slightly fewer credits could still qualify if it meets core learning objectives—a pragmatic nod to diverse global systems.
“Many students return with international qualifications to seamlessly integrate into India’s higher education system or workforce. Such students need a structured procedure to evaluate foreign credentials without unpredictable delays and procedural ambiguity. Acknowledging this challenge, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to establish a standardised equivalence framework by bringing in a new regulation,” M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairperson, UGC, told businessline.
According to him, the UGC has developed a transparent, technology-driven mechanism for recognising foreign qualifications from schools and higher education institutes. “If Indian institutions are to attract international students, we must ensure fair recognition of degrees earned abroad,” he said, pointing out that a long-standing issue has now been resolved.
Implications
The implications are profound.
For students, this means smoother transitions into Indian higher education or job markets, where recognized qualifications are often prerequisites.
Offshore campuses of foreign institutions, increasingly popular among Indian students, also fall under scrutiny—only those approved by authorities in both their host and origin countries will qualify. However, franchised programs, often criticized for quality concerns, are explicitly excluded, safeguarding academic integrity.
This move aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of internationalizing education.
It also integrates with the National Credit Framework, unifying credits across school, higher, and vocational education.
Students under collaborative government agreements or existing UGC frameworks won’t even need to apply—equivalence is automatic, easing bureaucratic hurdles.
Yet, challenges loom. The process hinges on accurate documentation.
Non-English transcripts will require authenticated English translations.
Appeals against rejections involve a Review Committee; while fraudulent applications risk certificate withdrawal and legal action.
Published on April 5, 2025
