UGC Equivalence & Recognition Guide
Will your IBC degree be recognised?
International Branch Campus degrees are issued by the foreign parent university. Select your goal below to see a plain-English summary of the regulatory position and exactly what steps to take.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
Sources
Key steps for students
Important caveats
Download Equivalence Passport (PDF)
A dated, versioned PDF of this verdict with a verification ID anyone can check at /verify/<your-id> — share it with family or keep it with your application documents.
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Two regulatory frameworks
UGC vs IFSCA: what's the difference?
Mainland IBCs
Regulated under the UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023. Degrees are recognised for all central government exams, PSU recruitment, and most professional purposes; identical treatment to Indian university degrees.
GIFT City IBCs
Regulated under the IFSCA (Setting Up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Foreign Universities) Regulations, 2022. A newer framework; recognition at some exam boards and professional bodies may lag. Obtaining an AIU equivalence certificate is recommended as a precaution.
Faculty transparency
Who actually teaches — disclosed, not assumed
The UGC FHEI Regulations, 2023 make faculty composition a disclosure obligation: an international branch campus must be transparent about how many of its teachers are flown in from the home campus versus locally hired. We publish that split for every campus we list — regardless of any commercial relationship — so you can judge teaching quality on facts, not brochures.
See faculty mix by campus →Who teaches this campus
Illustrative demo data
- Prof. Example Dean, Campus Dean — Deakin University Melbourne
n=18 faculty · cohort 2026 · Illustrative demo source, 1 Jun 2026
UGC FHEI requires faculty qualification parity with the home campus and caps online delivery at 10%; appointed international faculty are expected to stay at least one semester.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are international branch campus degrees recognised for UPSC and government jobs?
Degrees from UGC-regulated (mainland) IBCs are recognised for all central government exams and PSU recruitment, with identical treatment to Indian university degrees. GIFT City (IFSCA) graduates should obtain an AIU equivalence certificate as a precaution.
What is the difference between UGC and IFSCA campuses?
Mainland IBCs are regulated under the UGC FHEI Regulations 2023, while GIFT City IBCs operate under the IFSCA Regulations 2022 — a newer framework where recognition at some exam boards and professional bodies may lag.
Do GIFT City (IFSCA) degrees need extra steps for recognition?
Because the IFSCA framework is newer, obtaining an AIU equivalence certificate is recommended before exam application deadlines, and you should keep the campus's registration letter alongside your degree as supporting evidence.
Is this guide legal advice?
No. This is general information only. Regulations change and individual circumstances vary — always confirm eligibility directly with the recruiting body, exam board, or institution before applying.