UGC Notifies New Guidelines for Recognition of Foreign Degrees:
A Leap towards Global Academic Integration
In a landmark move aimed at easing the challenges faced by students and facilitating smooth academic mobility, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025. These newly introduced regulations are designed to streamline the process of recognizing qualifications earned from foreign educational institutions. By establishing a clear framework for equivalence, the regulations not only benefit Indian students with international degrees but also promote global academic collaboration, aligning India’s higher education system more closely with international standards.
The new framework is expected to bring clarity and predictability for students returning to India with foreign academic qualifications. By establishing a transparent, objective and process the regulations aim to eliminate procedural delays and ambiguities in the recognition of international degrees. This initiative aligns closely with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promoting global academic mobility while upholding quality and credibility.
Key Highlights: UGC’s Framework for Recognition and Equivalence of Foreign Qualifications
Recognition Criteria and Evaluation Standards
To be considered for equivalence, the foreign qualification must originate from an institution legally recognised in its home country. The programme must meet the academic norms set by the awarding institution, and its entry-level eligibility should be comparable to similar Indian programmes. A Standing Committee of academic experts of the UGC evaluates the degree based on programme duration, credit load, curriculum structure, assessment methods, and learning outcomes.
Importantly, qualifications from off-shore campuses will only be recognised if the campus is duly approved and accredited in both the host and home countries. However, degrees earned through franchise arrangements—where foreign institutions outsource their academic delivery—will not be eligible.
Provisions for School Education and Global Collaboration
For undergraduate admissions, students with foreign school education must have completed 12 years of schooling through systems equivalent to Indian boards like CBSE, State Boards of Secondary Education and ICSE.
Additionally, qualifications under government-approved MoUs or UGC regulations—such as joint, dual, or twinning degree programmes—are automatically considered equivalent, removing the need for a separate application.
Simplified Online Procedure
Applicants must submit requests for equivalence via a dedicated online portal, along with necessary documents and a prescribed fee. Non-English documents must be submitted with authenticated translations. The Standing Committee will typically review applications within 10 working days, and the UGC will issue final decisions within 15 days. An appeal process is available for rejections.
Safeguards and Legal Standing
Equivalence certificates are valid across all UGC-recognised institutions and public employment sectors. However, any attempt to misrepresent facts or submit fraudulent information will lead to withdrawal of the certificate and possible legal action.
UGC as the Final Authority
The UGC retains the right to interpret these regulations and resolve ambiguities. It may also recognise institutions with exceptional academic or research reputations, even beyond standard parameters.
This move is expected to significantly ease the process for Indian students returning from foreign universities and for foreign nationals seeking further education or employment in India, while maintaining academic integrity and national standards.
Academic experts and education consultants have widely welcomed the move, calling it a “progressive leap” aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “This brings clarity and confidence to Indian students pursuing higher education abroad,” said Dr. Shraddha Sheth, Eduprogress and Research Private Limited, a higher education consultant.
The UGC Regulations 2025 represent a strategic and timely step toward globalizing India’s higher education system. By clarifying recognition norms and streamlining the equivalence process, the UGC has taken a forward-looking stance to support students, professionals, and institutions in a globally connected academic world.
As a leading education consulting firm in India, Eduprogress and Research Private Limited considers UGC Regulations, 2025, a timely and forward-looking initiative. By introducing greater clarity, transparency, and consistency in the recognition of foreign qualifications, the framework empowers both students and institutions to engage more confidently in global academic pursuit
