Answer

The UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2025 have introduced a streamlined process for the recognition of foreign degrees, enabling online submission and time-bound equivalence. This reform under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to globalise India’s higher education and boost academic mobility.

Implications of UGC Equivalence Regulations

• Enhanced Academic Mobility: Indian students now gain timely recognition of foreign degrees, aiding access to higher education and jobs.
  Eg. As per 2025 norms, degrees from countries like the UK, US, and Australia receive online equivalence within 15 working days.
• Attracting Foreign Campuses: Degree recognition boosts the credibility of foreign university branches operating in India.
  Eg. UGC approved campuses of Illinois Tech, University of Liverpool, and Victoria University under the 2023 regulations, encouraging quality education partnerships.
• Strengthened Global Collaboration: Formal equivalence allows seamless launch of joint degrees, dual programmes, and academic exchanges.
  Eg. UGC now automatically recognises foreign degrees granted under valid dual-degree MoUs with Indian universities.
• Improved Quality Assurance: The equivalence process includes checks on credits, course content, and accreditation, ensuring academic parity.
  Eg. The Standing Committee on Equivalence verifies parameters like credit range (±10%), internships, and research work before granting approval.
• Enhanced National Competitiveness: These reforms align with NEP 2020, boosting India’s goal of becoming a global education hub.

Shortcomings of the Regulations

• Exclusion of Professional Degrees: Degrees in regulated fields like medicine, law, and architecture are still outside the equivalence framework.
  Eg. Foreign law and medical degrees require separate approvals from respective statutory councils, creating regulatory overlap.
• No Recognition for Franchise Degrees: Degrees through third-party franchises or EdTech collaborations are not recognised under current rules.
• Limited Appeal Mechanism: Though rejections can be reviewed, the total time can still extend up to 45 days, adding uncertainty.
  Eg. The review window for rejected applications is 30 days, with possible 10-day extension, creating stress for students.
• Portal Overload Risks: A surge in applications may challenge the portal’s processing ability and delay timely outcomes.
• State-Level Discrepancies: Some state universities may still apply their own evaluation standards despite national-level recognition.

Way Forward

• Include Professional Degrees: Collaborate with statutory councils to integrate medicine, law, and architecture under UGC equivalence.
  Eg. UK’s NARIC system recognises professional qualifications through coordinated council-agency frameworks.
• Upgrade Portal Infrastructure: Introduce AI-based vetting, 24×7 uptime, and multilingual access.
• Ensure State-Level Alignment: Sign MoUs with states to mandate UGC-recognised equivalence across universities.
  Eg. Germany’s Anabin database provides centralised qualification recognition accepted by all Länder (states).
• Expand Automatic Equivalence: Recognise degrees from UGC-approved foreign campuses and pre-validated joint programmes.
• Stakeholder Consultation Mechanism: Hold regular feedback loops with students, employers, and universities.
  Eg. Canada’s CICIC (Information Centre for International Credentials) holds annual stakeholder forums to revise recognition practices.

The new UGC equivalence Regulations 2025 mark a pivotal step in aligning India’s higher education with global standards. By addressing existing gaps i.e. inclusion of professional streams, infrastructure enhancement, and state‑level coordination, India can fully harness international academic collaborations and build its reputation as a Vishwa Guru in education.

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