UGC Warns Against Unrecognised Foreign Collaborations and EdTech Degree Offers

New Delhi, 30th July 2025: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh public notice warning higher education institutions (HEIs), colleges, and EdTech companies against unapproved collaborations with foreign universities and the promotion of unrecognized degree and diploma programmes.

The notice, signed by UGC Secretary Prof. Manish Joshi, reiterates concerns raised earlier in a similar advisory dated December 12, 2023. It draws attention to a growing trend of Indian HEIs and private colleges entering into academic arrangements with foreign-based educational institutions or providers that are not recognized by the UGC.

“It has been observed that many HEIs/colleges have entered into collaborative agreements with foreign-based institutions not recognized by the Commission, and have facilitated the issuance of degrees to students enrolled under such arrangements,” the UGC stated.

In addition, the UGC flagged several EdTech companies for advertising online degree and diploma programmes in partnership with foreign universities through various platforms including newspapers, social media, and television. These offerings, the Commission emphasized, lack official recognition.

The UGC clarified that any such collaborations or arrangements are not approved, and degrees issued under these programmes are not recognized. It further warned that legal action will be initiated against all defaulting institutions and EdTech platforms as per applicable laws and regulations.

The Commission also issued a strong advisory to students and the general public: “Students/general public are once again advised to exercise due caution and are made aware that such courses/programmes/degrees do not have UGC recognition and that they would be doing so at their own risk and consequences.”

This development comes in the backdrop of the UGC’s recent push to streamline and regulate academic collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions through two sets of regulations:
UGC (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Education Institutions to offer Twinning Programme, Joint Degree, Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2022
UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023
These regulations aim to promote quality international collaborations while ensuring transparency and regulatory oversight.

For a list of approved foreign collaborations and institutions, students are advised to visit the official UGC website or verify with the Commission before enrolling.