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Is an Australian Degree Valid in India? UGC Equivalence, AIU Certificates and the Professional Councils

Most Indian employers accept an Australian degree as it is. An equivalence certificate matters when you apply for a government job, a public-sector post or further study in India. Since April 2025 the UGC grants equivalence under its own regulations, with a decision due within 15 working days; the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) also issues equivalence through its evaluation portal.

Leonid Kurza, co-founder of EdumappleBy Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked

  • 2025UGC equivalence regulations
  • 15working days for a UGC decision
  • ₹59,000AIU fee for a two-year PGDM equivalence
  • NMCdecides medical degrees

The UGC route

The UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025 took effect in April 2025. A foreign degree is granted equivalence if the institution is recognised in its own country, you followed the programme's normal rules, and its entry requirements and credits match the Indian degree, within a 10% variation. Qualifications from an offshore campus count only if both countries approve and accredit it; franchised qualifications are not recognised. The certificate is valid for all institutions under the UGC and for public employment.

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The AIU route

The Association of Indian Universities issues academic equivalence for degrees of accredited foreign universities through its evaluation portal. Some universities and employers still ask for an AIU certificate specifically, so check what the body you apply to wants.

Professional fields

Medicine follows the National Medical Commission's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021: the entire course and a twelve-month internship must be done at the same foreign institution, in English, followed by registration in that country, an Indian internship and the licensing exam. Read MBBS in Australia before choosing medicine for practice in India. Law, nursing, pharmacy and architecture have their own councils.

Questions from Indian students: Recognition of Australian degrees in India

Is an Australian degree valid in India?
Yes. Degrees from recognised Australian universities are accepted by employers and universities. For posts or admissions that require a UGC-recognised qualification, apply for an equivalence certificate under the UGC Regulations, 2025.
How do I get UGC equivalence for an Australian degree?
Apply online on the UGC portal. A standing committee recommends within 10 working days, and the UGC must decide within 15 working days of your application. A rejection can be reviewed if you apply within 30 working days.
Does the UGC rule cover medicine and law?
No. The 2025 regulations exclude medicine, pharmacy, nursing, law, architecture and other fields regulated by statutory councils. Those councils, such as the National Medical Commission, set their own rules.
Is a one-year Australian master's recognised in India?
UGC compares entry requirements and credits with the Indian equivalent, allowing up to 10% variation. A one-year master's after a three-year bachelor's may fall short of an Indian two-year master's for some purposes; a two-year master's avoids the question.
What does AIU charge?
AIU accepts applications only through evaluation.aiu.ac.in. Its fee for equivalence of a two-year PGDM is ₹50,000 plus 18% GST.

Sources we checked