This page acts as a guide to support students and families in navigating the equivalence process for international qualifications in India. It draws on current guidance from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Cambridge Assessment International Education, and the International Baccalaureate.
India's equivalence system has recently undergone a major change. For several decades, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) was the principal authority issuing equivalence certificates for foreign and international qualifications. In April 2025, the University Grants Commission notified a new statutory framework that brings this function under UGC, supported by a dedicated online portal. This guide explains the new UGC route, what has changed, and what IGCSE and IB Diploma students at Trio World Academy need to do.
Until 2025, the AIU's Evaluation Division was the primary authority in India for issuing equivalence certificates for foreign qualifications, and Indian universities, regulatory bodies, and government employers relied on AIU certification to interpret international credentials such as the IB Diploma and Cambridge qualifications.
On 4 April 2025, the University Grants Commission notified the UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025. This is India's first dedicated statutory framework for recognising foreign qualifications, introduced in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its goal of internationalising Indian higher education. From this point, the UGC — rather than the AIU — is the authority that grants equivalence to foreign qualifications for higher education, research, and employment purposes.
The UGC Equivalence Certificate is a formal document issued by the University Grants Commission certifying that a foreign qualification is comparable to a specific Indian qualification level. Because the IB Diploma and Cambridge qualifications do not issue standard "Class 12 Board Marks Cards" like CBSE or ICSE, the equivalence certificate officially confirms that a student's international qualification is equivalent to completion of Class 12 from an Indian board.
The certificate is valid across all academic institutions in India where UGC-recognised qualifications are required, and covers higher education, research, and employment in both the public and private sectors.
Not every international student needs this certificate, but it is required under the following scenarios:
Most Indian universities (central, state, and private) require an equivalence certificate at the time of counselling or final enrolment to confirm eligibility for undergraduate courses.
If your child plans to sit for exams such as JEE (Engineering), NEET (Medical), CLAT (Law), or CUET, the equivalence 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) require validation of school-level eligibility before allowing students to pursue professional programmes in India. Note that the UGC Regulations, 2025 apply to academic qualifications; foreign professional degrees in fields such as Medicine, Law, and Architecture remain governed by the respective statutory councils.
Positions in the public and private sectors where UGC-recognised qualifications are mandatory, including central and state government roles.
Any legal or administrative purpose where formal validation of an academic qualification by an Indian authority is required.
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.
The long-established position in India is that passes in five Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level subjects, including English Language, are recognised as equivalent to the Standard 10 (Class 10) qualification of an Indian board. Cambridge IGCSE grades run from A* to G, with any grade from G upwards constituting a pass for this purpose. Families should note that the UGC Regulations, 2025 primarily address qualifications used for undergraduate admission (12 years of schooling); the treatment of Class 10-level equivalence is part of the ongoing regulatory transition, so the current route should be confirmed at the time of application.
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) has been recognised in India since 1983 as an entry qualification for all universities in India.
Under the UGC framework, a qualification obtained from a school in a foreign system representing 12 years of schooling is accepted for determining equivalence for admission to undergraduate programmes in India. A full IB Diploma is recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 (Plus Two / Class 12 / Senior Secondary) qualification of an Indian examination board, making a Diploma holder eligible for undergraduate admission across India. It is important to note that this recognition applies to the full Diploma, not to individual subject certificates (IB Courses results).
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.
The UGC Equivalence Portal requires documents demonstrating the qualification, the awarding institution's recognition, and the programme details. Documents must be in English or a scheduled Indian language; otherwise a certified English translation must be provided.
In addition to the above as relevant, IBDP students should provide the following documents:
All applications for UGC Equivalence Certificates are submitted online through the UGC Equivalence Portal. Paper applications are not accepted.
Visit the official UGC Equivalence Portal at:
equivalence.ugc.ac.in
Register an account under "Applicant Registration" 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 and awarding institution
Upload clear, legible PDF scans of all required documents
Pay the prescribed application fee online. Fees are non-refundable
Submit the application and retain the acknowledgement/reference number. Application status can be tracked on the portal
Applications are examined by a UGC-appointed Standing Committee of experts, which makes recommendations to the Commission.
A formal review mechanism is one of the new features introduced under the UGC Regulations, 2025. If an application is rejected, the applicant may seek a one-time review as follows:
UGC communicates the decision on the application. If it is a rejection, note the date of receipt — the review window is counted from this date.
Within 30 working days of receiving the rejection, submit a representation for review through the portal, along with the prescribed review fee.
A Review Committee constituted by the UGC examines the representation. The review is typically completed within 15 working days from the date of receipt.
The decision of the review is communicated to the applicant. Only one formal review of a rejected application is permitted, so documents should be complete and accurate at this stage.
Application fees are prescribed by UGC and displayed on the Equivalence Portal at the time of application. A separate review fee applies if an applicant seeks a review of a rejected application. Fee amounts are subject to revision, and the portal fee schedule should always be verified before payment.
| Item | Indicative Position |
|---|---|
| Application fee (equivalence certificate) | As per the current UGC portal fee schedule |
| Review fee (appeal against rejection) | As prescribed on the portal at the time of review |
Under the UGC Regulations, 2025, decisions are typically made within 15 working days after all required documents have been submitted. If an application is rejected, the applicant may submit a representation for review within 30 working days of receiving the decision, along with the review fee; the review is typically completed within a further 15 working days. Only one formal review of a rejected application is permitted.
Timelines can vary based on application volume and documentation completeness. Factors that may extend processing include incomplete uploads, required translations, and peak admission seasons (March to June). Families are advised to apply 3-4 months ahead of university deadlines.
| Organisation | Details |
|---|---|
| UGC Equivalence Portal | https://equivalence.ugc.ac.in (applications, FAQs, certificate verification) |
| University Grants Commission | Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 | https://www.ugc.gov.in |
| AIU Evaluation Division (legacy route) | AIU House, 16 Comrade Indrajit Gupta Marg, New Delhi 110 002 | https://aiu.ac.in |
| Cambridge International | https://www.cambridgeinternational.org |
| IB Organisation | https://www.ibo.org |
| Trio World Academy | www.trioworldacademy.com | Sahakar Nagar, Bengaluru 560092 |
For personalised guidance, please contact the Career Guidance & University Counselling Office, Trio World Academy.