The UGC issued draught guidelines for the recognition of degrees from foreign institutions yesterday, but did not include degrees obtained through online or distance education.

According to the draught guidelines, the regulations will not apply to "professional qualifications awarded by foreign educational institutions" in disciplines such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, and Architecture.

The regulations come at a time when foreign universities are nearing completion of their campuses in Gujarat's GIFT City, and Indian universities are collaborating with institutions abroad to offer dual or joint degrees.

According to the UGC, a degree from a foreign higher educational institution will be recognised and granted equivalence only if the student physically attends an institute recognised by the home country. It also stated that the entry-level requirements for admission to the programme must be comparable to those of a corresponding programme in India.

The “similarity” of entry criteria will be determined by a standing committee set up for the purpose based on similarity of minimum duration of the programme in India and the foreign country, minimum credit requirements, and evaluation processes, according to the draft guidelines. “Credits in different categories of courses may be examined and similarity established (such as basic background courses, disciplinary core courses, disciplinary elective courses, cross-disciplinary courses, laboratory courses etc), so that the equivalence also reflects the similarity in ‘flavour’ of the offerings in India and abroad,” the guidelines note.

In the event that the entry criteria differ, the UGC will consider minimum credit requirements.

While programmes completed under a franchise arrangement will not be recognised, those completed in offshore campuses will be recognised if they meet the accreditation requirements in both their country of location and their respective home countries.

Any education obtained from schools affiliated with foreign boards and providing a foreign system of education abroad will be recognised and granted equivalence only if it was obtained on a regular basis.

The draft guidelines are open for feedback until September 16.