Equivalence refers to recognizing foreign degrees or courses as comparable to Indian degrees, enabling holders to pursue further education or employment in India.
Equivalence refers to recognizing foreign degrees or courses as comparable to Indian degrees, enabling holders to pursue further education or employment in India.
The process is guided by the UGC's "Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions" Regulations, 2024, and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by UGC.
Foreign institutions must be recognized and accredited by the government or authorized bodies in their respective countries.
Degrees obtained entirely through distance learning or unaccredited online platforms may be scrutinized separately. Formal education qualifications are generally eligible.
No, equivalence does not apply to professional qualifications regulated by statutory councils in India, such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, and Architecture.
Degrees obtained through franchise arrangements are not eligible for equivalence.
Applicants must submit their applications online through the UGC Equivalence Portal, including uploading necessary documents and paying the prescribed fee.
Required documents include:
Decisions are typically made within 15 working days after all required documents are submitted.
Applicants can appeal the decision by submitting a representation for review within 30 working days from the date of receiving the rejection decision, along with a specified review fee.
The review process is typically completed within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the application for review.
It is valid for all academic institutions and employment in public or private sectors in India, where UGC-recognized qualifications are required.
Yes, if the certificate is obtained based on false information, UGC has the authority to revoke it and initiate legal proceedings.
Qualifications obtained under agreements between the Indian and foreign governments, or through specific UGC-approved programs, may not require a separate equivalence application.
Foreign school qualifications equivalent to 12 years of schooling in India are eligible for equivalence for undergraduate admissions, provided they meet prescribed criteria.
Foreign degrees must align with the academic standards and learning outcomes prescribed by UGC and the Indian education system. This includes minimum course duration, credit requirements, evaluation methods, and curricular outcomes.
Credits may be recognized if the foreign program aligns with the Indian National Credit Framework or equivalent UGC standards, subject to evaluation.
The Standing Committee may consider a variation of up to 10% in normalized credit requirements when assessing duration equivalence
No, only one formal review of a rejected application is permitted.
Applicants can track their application status on the UGC Equivalence Portal.
Submission of fraudulent documents results in application rejection and may lead to legal action.