Indian students will now have the opportunity to earn a dual degree for separate courses simultaneously from Indian and foreign higher educational institutions. The Indian government is taking tangible measures to collaborate with foreign HEIs to take the initiative ahead.

The University Grant Commission has finalised the regulatory draft for the collaboration and programmes, and will issue a notification soon. The regulations state that a degree obtained through collaboration with a foreign HEI will be equivalent to a corresponding provided by an Indian institution. They also define four types of academic collaboration under the program, namely:

• Credit recognition and transfer
• Dual degree programme
• Joint degree programme
• Twinning arrangement

As a part of the initiative, UGC is encouraging colleges, institutions, and universities to collaborate with foreign institutions. It will offer collaboration grant to institutions fulfilling the following criteria:

• Institutions recognized by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• Institutions must obtain a minimum score of 3.01
• Top 100 universities under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
• Top 500 universities under Times Higher Education and QS world university ranking

The institutions accredited by other assessment agencies must have UGC approval. Franchise arrangements will not be allowed under the regulation, and it will also not comply with online or distance mode courses.

Students can expect immense benefits from the programme as it brings an opportunity to obtain two degrees separately yet simultaneously.