University Grant Commission (UGC) has announced two key regulations for foreign higher education institutes (HEIs) in India. UGC has exercised its power under the UGC Act 1956 (as amended) and made the announcement of development for foreign HEIs.
These two key regulations are:
1. University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Education Institutions — will offer Twinning Programme, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2022.
2. University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.
The regulations stipulate that approval from the Commission is a prerequisite for any Foreign Higher Educational Institution seeking to offer a program in India. Additionally, the regulations explicitly prohibit Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) from providing programs through franchise arrangements, and programs operating under such arrangements will not receive recognition from the UGC.
The notice stated that “The University Grants Commission has observed and has been informed that many HEls/colleges have entered into collaborative agreements/arrangements with foreign-based educational institutions/providers not recognised by the Commission and have been facilitating the issuance of degrees to the students enrolled in those institutions/colleges from such foreign-based educational institutions/educational providers.”
It further added, “Any such kind of collaboration/ arrangement is not recognised by the University Grants Commission, and accordingly, the degrees issued subsequent to such collaboration/ arrangement are also not recognised by the Commission.”
“It has also come to the notice of UGC that some EdTech companies are giving advertisements in newspapers/social media/television etc. offering degree and diploma programmes in online modes in association with some foreign universities/institutions. Such a franchisee arrangement is not permissible and any such programme/degree shall not have UGC recognition,” the UGC informed clearly.
