The University Grant Commission (UGC) has issued draft guidelines on the recognition of degrees obtained by Indian Students from Foreign Universities. The move has come at a time when India seeks and Invites Foreign Universities to set up campuses across India. The eight pages regulation called “UGC Draft Regulations, 2023 ”, sets up qualifications for recognition of foreign degrees and schooling, and Procedure.
According to the UGC draft Regulation 2023, A constituted standing Committee of experts will examine the equivalence certificate. The draft defines the Equivalence Certificate as “ A document certifying the parity of a level of qualification between foreign qualification level and the qualification level by Indian Universities/Board.”
Only those degrees obtained in regular mode physically at Foreign Institutions will be able to be considered for granting equivalence certificates in order to further Education or Job purposes in India. The education gained by Indian Students has been under UGC’s collaboration with foreign Education policy. The Foreign institutions must have been accredited by an Authorized University/ Board recognized in their own Home Country.
For foreign school certificate recognition in India, it will be necessary “Students must have completed 12 years of education in regular mode”. The certificate offering foreign institutions must have been affiliated with foreign boards. The accreditation and affiliation granting foreign boards have been recognized in its home country’s Education System.
The UGC has debarred the certificates obtained via Franchise or Private mode from foreign. The draft clarifies “Qualification obtained through a franchise arrangement shall not be considered for recognition and grant of equivalence.”
Professional Degrees in Medical, Law, and Architecture disciplines have been granted an exemption by UGC and do not require any equivalence certificate.
The UGC has constituted a National Higher Educational Framework (NHEQF) which will classify the recognition qualification in tune with a set of criteria by the UGC. In case of dissatisfaction with UGC policies on Foreign degree recognition in India, students can email an Appellate Committee.
