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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made new rules to help students get equivalence certificates for degrees earned from foreign universities.  

Objectives of the Initiative

The University Grants Commission (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations 2025 aims to make it easier for students who study abroad to use their foreign degrees in India.

Earlier, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) used to check foreign degrees and give certificates. But now, the UGC is taking over because they want a clearer, more official system.

This change aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which encourages global education. The UGC chairman says, “If Indian schools want to attract international students, we must recognize foreign degrees properly.” UGC wants to help Indian students who return home after studying abroad to join college or find jobs without confusion.

What Do These Rules Cover?

The new rules apply to most academic qualifications, like certificates, diplomas, or degrees, earned from foreign universities. However, there are some exceptions:

• Degrees in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, law, architecture, and other fields controlled by special councils in India are not covered.
• If a foreign university has a partnership with an Indian university (like joint degree programs), students don’t need an equivalence certificate.

Now, even online or distance learning degrees from foreign universities can now get equivalence certificates. Earlier drafts didn’t allow this, but feedback changed that rule.

A person can get an equivalence certificate if:

1. The foreign university is officially recognized in its own country.
2. The program studied has similar rules to programs in India (like credit requirements or internships).
3. Follow all the rules of your foreign university while studying.

Even if someone studied at a foreign university’s campus outside its home country,they can still apply—as long as the program meets the standards of both the host country and the university’s home country.

For school qualifications, like completing 12th grade abroad, a person can also apply for an equivalence certificate if they want to join an undergraduate program in India. 

How to Apply for an Equivalence Certificate

The UGC has created an online portal to apply. A committee of education experts will review the application, and decide within 10 working days and notify their decision within 15 days. 

If they reject an application, the person can ask for a review. Another committee will look into it and provide a final answer.  

Source: 

INDIAN EXPRESS