This page acts as a guide to support students and families in navigating the equivalency process. It draws on current guidance from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Cambridge Assessment International Education, and the International Baccalaureate.
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is a national body whose Evaluation Division has long been the primary authority in India for issuing equivalency certificates for foreign qualifications. Every Indian university, regulatory body, and government employer relies on AIU certification to interpret and accept academic credentials earned through international programmes.
Because the IB Diploma and Cambridge A-Levels do not issue standard "Class 12 Board Marks cards" like CBSE or ICSE, the AIU steps in to evaluate their curriculum structure, credits, and rigor. The AIU then issues a formal Equivalency Certificate, which officially certifies that your child's international qualifications are 100% equivalent to a Class 12 completion certificate from any Indian board.
Not every international student needs this certificate, but it is mandatory under the following scenarios:
Most Indian universities (central, state, and private) require an AIU certificate at the time of counselling or final enrolment to confirm eligibility for undergraduate courses.
If your child plans to sit for exams like JEE (Engineering), NEET (Medical), CLAT (Law), or CUET, the AIU certificate ensures their eligibility criteria match the standard 10+2 requirements.
Professional councils such as the National Medical Commission (NMC) or Bar Council of India (BCI) mandate this validation before allowing students to pursue professional licenses in India.
Including central and state government positions.
Any legal or administrative purpose where formal validation of an academic qualification by an Indian authority is required.
The certificate is valid for a lifetime. It does not expire and does not require renewal.
Cambridge IGCSE is an internationally recognised secondary qualification offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). At Trio World Academy, students sit IGCSE examinations in Grades 8 to 10, typically completing five or more subjects including English Language.
AIU recognition: The AIU recognises passes in five Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level subjects, including English Language, as equivalent to the Standard 10 (Class 10) qualification of an Indian Board. This means a student who has passed five IGCSE subjects, one of which is English Language (First Language, Second Language, or O Level English Language), holds a qualification equivalent to Class 10 of the CBSE or CISCE boards. Cambridge IGCSE grades run from A* to G, with any grade from G upwards constituting a pass for AIU purposes.
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) has been recognised by the Association of Indian Universities since 1983 as an entry qualification for all universities in India.
AIU recognition: A full IB Diploma is recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 (Plus Two / Class 12 / Senior Secondary) qualification of any Indian examination board, making a Diploma holder eligible for undergraduate admission across India. It is important to note that the IBDP recognition applies to the full Diploma, not to individual subject certificates.
Indian institutions typically require applicants to provide aggregate percentage scores. For Cambridge IGCSE candidates, the Statement of Results issued by Cambridge includes a Percentage Uniform Mark (PUM) alongside each subject grade. This is the figure to use for Indian institutional purposes. To calculate an aggregate percentage, add the Percentage Uniform Marks across all subjects and divide by the total number of subjects.
The IB does not issue percentage scores, but the IB Organisation provides an Indian equivalent percentage scale that students can use when completing university application forms:
| IB Grade | Indian Equivalent (%) | Indicative Band |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 96 – 100 | Outstanding |
| 6 | 83 – 95 | Very Good |
| 5 | 70 – 82 | Good |
| 4 | 56 – 69 | Satisfactory |
| 3 | 41 – 55 | Acceptable |
| 2 | 21 – 40 | Poor |
| 1 | 1 – 20 | Very Poor |
The standard approach for calculating an overall percentage is to take the midpoint of the percentage range corresponding to each subject grade, then compute the average across all subjects. Individual universities may apply their own interpretations.
In addition to the above as relevant, IBDP students should provide the following documents:
All applications for AIU Equivalency Certificates are now submitted online. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
Visit the official AIU Evaluation Portal at: evaluation.aiu.ac.in
Register an account using your name, date of birth, email address, and contact number
Complete the online application form, entering personal details and the details of your qualification
Upload clear, legible PDF scans of all required documents (under 2 MB each).
Pay the application fee online via debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking. Fees are non-refundable.
Submit the application and retain the acknowledgement number and reference number provided.
| Qualification Type | Indicative Fee (approximate) |
|---|---|
| School-level qualification (Class 10 / Class 12 equivalent) | As per current portal schedule |
| Undergraduate degree equivalence | Rs. 12,000 |
| Postgraduate degree equivalence | Rs. 15,000 |
| Additional copies of certificate | Rs. 1,000 per copy |
Once a complete application has been submitted, processing generally takes between 2 and 30 business days. Timelines vary based on application volume and documentation completeness. Factors extending times include incomplete uploads, required translations, and peak seasons (March to June). Families should apply 3-4 months ahead of deadlines.
| Organisation | Details |
|---|---|
| AIU Evaluation Division | AIU House, 16 Comrade Indrajit Gupta Marg, New Delhi 110 002 |
| AIU Online Portal | https://evaluation.aiu.ac.in |
| UGC Equivalence Portal | https://equivalence.ugc.ac.in |
| Cambridge International | https://www.cambridgeinternational.org |
| IB Organisation | https://www.ibo.org |
| Trio World Academy | www.trioworldacademy.com | Sahakar Nagar, Bengaluru 560092 |