The regulations for foreign universities intending to establish campuses in India have been officially published by the University Grants Commission (UGC). In 2021, the guidelines for the internationalization of higher education were announced.
Many educators have concerns about whether the degrees from foreign universities will be recognized by the UGC and how the commission will handle the issue of equivalence for degrees from foreign institutions.
Regulations allow foreign universities to partner with Indian higher education institutions to provide twinning, joint, and dual degree programs. The regulation also specifies that qualifications obtained under the regulations must be deemed equal to any similar degree granted by an Indian Higher Educational Institution, for all intents and purposes such as further education and employment.
The regulations, which were published on November 8, state that there is no longer a need to seek equivalence from any authority. The degree will have all the same benefits, rights, and privileges as a degree awarded by an Indian higher education institution.
Educators at private universities are perplexed by the introduction of the regulation, as the UGC Act does not allow for such provision. A senior educator stated that the Ministry of Education is working to facilitate the admission of foreign institutions through its regulations.
