University Grants Commission New Foreign Degree Rules

In a major update aimed at supporting Indian students returning from abroad, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has rolled out new regulations for recognizing foreign academic degrees. These updated rules, coming into effect from April 4, 2025, promise a smoother, tech-enabled, and transparent process for evaluating international qualifications.

Why the University Grants Commission Matters

This initiative is a significant step towards achieving the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisions India as a global hub for education. With a growing number of Indian students earning degrees overseas, many have faced hurdles in getting their qualifications recognised. The new framework aims to remove these bottlenecks and simplify the process.

What’s New: Key Highlights

The revised regulations introduce a standardised and transparent mechanism for evaluating foreign qualifications. Here are the key factors considered:

• Institutional Legitimacy: The foreign institution must be officially recognised in its home country.
• Course Duration: The programme must meet a minimum study duration comparable to Indian standards.
• Level of Qualification: It should align with an equivalent academic level in India.

A newly formed Standing Committee on Equivalence will oversee evaluations and ensure consistency.

Degrees Outside the Scope

Not all degrees are covered. Programs in the following professional fields are excluded:

• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Law
• Architecture

These disciplines will continue to follow recognition processes set by their respective statutory regulatory bodies in India.

How to Apply for Degree Equivalence

Students seeking equivalence can apply via a dedicated online portal. Here’s how the process works:

1. Submit Required Documents and pay the application fee.
2. The Standing Committee will review your application and issue a recommendation within 10 working days.
3. The UGC will make the final decision within 15 working days of receiving the recommendation.

Eligibility Criteria for Recognition

To be considered for equivalence, the following conditions must be met:

• The awarding institution must be legally recognised in its home country.
• The degree should correspond in level and structure to a recognised Indian qualification.
• Degrees from unrecognised institutions or unaccredited programmes will not be accepted.

Review Process for Rejected Applications

Did your application get denied? There’s a backup plan:

• You can request a review within 30 working days of rejection.
• A separate Review Committee will re-evaluate your application.
• The UGC will issue a final verdict based on the review outcome.

Broader Impact on Indian Education

These reforms are set to boost global mobility for Indian students and enrich the domestic academic environment. By embracing diverse academic experiences, India’s higher education system stands to gain fresh insights, global exposure, and broader collaboration opportunities.