University Grants Commission Latest News
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the “Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025”.
Why in the News?
- These regulations were finalised after public feedback on the 2023 draft and aim to provide a transparent, structured, and standardised process for recognising foreign academic qualifications.
- This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the internationalisation of Indian higher education and the need to seamlessly integrate international students and returning Indian students into India’s education and employment systems.
What Are Equivalence Certificates?
- An equivalence certificate is an official document that certifies a foreign qualification (degree/diploma/certificate) as equivalent to a corresponding Indian qualification.
- These certificates are now to be issued by the UGC, replacing the previous system managed by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
About the University Grants Commission (UGC)
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Origin |
Initiated based on the 1944 Sargeant Report, which recommended a University Grants Committee. |
|
Formation year |
First formed in 1945, expanded in 1947, restructured in 1948 under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s recommendation. |
|
Statutory status |
Became a statutory body in 1956, formally inaugurated in 1953 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. |
|
Headquarters |
Located in New Delhi. |
|
Composition |
Comprises a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and 10 other members appointed by the Central Government. |
|
Functions |
– Assess and allocate grants for universities. |
University Grants Commission FAQs
Q1. What is the UGC?
Ans. The University Grants Commission is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, India, established in 1956.
Q2. What is its primary role?
Ans. To coordinate, determine, and maintain standards of higher education in India.
Q3. Is UGC responsible for funding universities?
Ans. Yes, it allocates grants to universities and colleges recognized under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
Q4. What is UGC-NET?
Ans. It is a national eligibility test conducted to determine eligibility for lectureship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
Source: IE
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