In April 2025, the University Grants Commission (UGC) officially notified the Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025.

• These regulations aim to streamline the recognition of foreign degrees, replacing the earlier system managed by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) which was a non-statutory system.

Key Provisions of the New Regulations

• Equivalence Certification: Foreign degrees, diplomas, and certificates will now be certified as equivalent to Indian qualifications for higher education, research, and employment where UGC recognition is required.
• Scope of Application: The regulations apply broadly, but exclude fields regulated by Statutory Councils (medicine, pharmacy, law, nursing, architecture).
• Recognition of Distance and Online Learning: Unlike earlier drafts, the final regulations recognize qualifications earned through distance or online education modes.
• Simplified Process: An online portal will handle applications, with expert committees making recommendations within 10 working days and final decisions communicated within 15 days.
• Exemptions: No separate equivalence certificate is needed for foreign qualifications earned through UGC-approved twinning, joint, or dual degree programs.

Conditions for Granting Equivalence

• The foreign institution must be legally recognized in its home country.
• The entry-level standards (credits, thesis, internship, etc.) should match comparable Indian programmes.
• The programme should follow the academic norms of the foreign institution.
• Offshore campus degrees will be recognized if they meet the academic standards of both the host country and the institution’s home country.

Challenges Regarding Regulation of Foreign Universities

• Absence of Top-Tier Institutions: Despite regulatory reforms, no Ivy League or top U.S. universities (like Harvard, Yale, NYU, Carnegie Mellon) have opened campuses in India.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Complex rules and unclear pathways for setting up campuses may deter world-class institutions.

Parliamentary Committee’s Recommendations

• Secure Leading Global University Campuses The Department of Higher Education should intensify efforts to attract top global universities, especially Ivy League and other prestigious institutions, to establish campuses in India.
• Expand Access to Foreign Students Strengthen initiatives like reserving up to 25% supernumerary seats for foreign students and target regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Set Up International Affairs Offices Higher education institutions should establish offices for international affairs and alumni connect cells to facilitate global engagement and promote Indian education abroad.
• Promote Collaborative Research Encourage and support joint research projects between Indian and foreign universities, especially in critical areas like technology, sustainability, food security, and healthcare.
• Need for Greater Efforts: A Parliamentary panel chaired by Sh. Digvijay Singh emphasized that the Department of Higher Education must intensify efforts to attract leading global universities.

Current State of Foreign University Campuses in India

• Australian Universities at GIFT City: Deakin University and University of Wollongong have set up campuses at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
• UK Institutions in Progress: The University of Southampton is planning a campus, and Queen’s University Belfast and Coventry University have received approvals for GIFT City campuses.
• No U.S. University Presence: As of now, no American university has established a campus in India, despite ongoing collaborations through research and academic exchange programs.

Initiatives to Facilitate Foreign University and Students Entry

• Study in India (SII) Initiative: Launched in 2018 to promote Indian education globally, targeting students from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Expansion of Seats: Universities in India can now reserve up to 25% additional seats for foreign students.
• Strengthening International Collaboration: Over 787 joint research proposals have been approved with partners from 28 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Australia, and France.
• Creation of International Affairs Offices: Institutions have been encouraged to establish dedicated offices to manage foreign student affairs and alumni relations.

Significance of the New Regulations

• Alignment with NEP 2020 Goals: The regulations support the National Education Policy’s focus on the internationalization of Indian higher education.
• Structured, Transparent Process: Shifting equivalence recognition under UGC ensures a statutory, fair, and predictable system, addressing previous delays and ambiguities.
• Boost to Global Integration: A clear equivalence process will help Indian students with foreign qualifications integrate more easily into India’s education system and workforce.
• Foundation for Future Growth: By formalizing foreign degree recognition, India strengthens its position as a global education hub, paving the way for more foreign campuses.

Benefits of Foreign Universities for Indian Students

• Reduce Financial Outflow and Brain Drain: Establishing foreign universities in India can curb the massive outflow of money and talent by offering quality education locally, reducing the need for students to study abroad.
• Improve Gross Enrollment Ratio: The presence of foreign institutions will provide more higher education opportunities, potentially boosting India’s currently low Gross Enrollment Ratio of 28.4 %.
• Foster Cultural Exchange and Global Exposure: Foreign universities can enhance cross-cultural understanding and give Indian students broader global perspectives without leaving the country.
• Enhance Competitiveness and Brand Value: Local campuses of reputed global universities will raise the quality of education and research, improving India’s international academic standing