India Launches New Framework for Recognising International Degrees via UGC Portal

By Jace April 9, 2025
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India has rolled out a streamlined and technology-driven framework for the recognition of international qualifications, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) introducing a dedicated online portal to simplify the process for students returning from abroad.

Announced by UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, the new system allows Indian students who have studied overseas to apply for an equivalence certificate by paying a nominal fee. The aim is to offer a clear and transparent method for integrating international degree holders into India’s higher education or employment landscape.

“This initiative is aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to position India as a global education hub,” said Kumar. “If we want to attract international students to Indian institutions, we must also fairly evaluate degrees earned outside India.”

A standing committee under the UGC will process each application within 10 working days. Applications will be assessed based on course duration, curriculum design, credit requirements (with a 10% variation allowed), and learning outcomes.

However, the framework excludes professional degrees in regulated fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, Architecture, and Nursing. These will remain under the purview of their respective statutory councils in India, which will continue with their independent evaluation procedures.

Degrees obtained via franchising arrangements will not be recognised under the new system.

The move marks a shift away from the century-old system previously managed solely by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), established in 1925. The AIU currently processes around 2,000 equivalence requests each year from its 1,064 member institutions, including 19 international ones.

Whether the AIU will continue to issue equivalence certificates under the new regime remains unclear, pending an official notification from the government.

India’s updated approach reflects its growing focus on internationalisation and the need for a modern, efficient process for recognising global academic credentials.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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