Mumbai: In order to streamline the acceptance of foreign academic degrees, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a comprehensive regulation titled "Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions, 2025".
The new regulation aims at creating an open, technology-driven process for checking degrees and school certificates obtained abroad.
The UGC Chairman, Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, also stressed that the initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of creating India as an education hub across the globe. “Many students return to India with international degrees or school qualifications, but face delays and procedural uncertainty when seeking recognition. This regulation will offer clarity, predictability, and fairness,” he said.
Key Highlights of the New Framework:
• Online Portal for Applications: UGC will launch a dedicated online portal for students to apply for equivalence certificates.
• Expert Review Committees: Applications will be reviewed by a Standing Committee of education experts, with decisions expected within 15 working days.
• Eligibility Criteria: Program length, credit hours, evaluation processes, and academic records will all be considered for providing recognition.
Degrees will not be granted under franchise arrangements.
• Education standards: A foreign education fulfilling Indian-pattern requirements, i.e., 12 years of schooling and passing recognised school-leaving examinations, will be eligible for admission to undergraduate courses.
• Exemptions: The regulations exempt professional qualifications in fields like medicine, law, and architecture, which still remain under the jurisdiction of single statutory councils.
• Appeal Mechanism: Rejections may be appealed through a formal review process by a various expert committee under supervision.
This reform has come after other attempts by the UGC at internationalising higher education in India, such as twinning, joint, and dual degree offerings, and taking up the National Credit Framework.
“This move is crucial given the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of transforming India into a global study destination. If Indian institutions are to attract international students, we must ensure fair recognition of degrees earned abroad,” added UGC Chairman Kumar. “By addressing a long-standing issue, UGC has taken a decisive step through this significant reform toward making India’s higher education system more inclusive, competitive, and future-ready.”
