How to apply for Equivalency Certificate from AIU?

What is an Equivalence Certificate?

An Equivalence Certificate (EC) is mandatory for students who have studied abroad or have foreign qualifications to enable and facilitate their admission in Indian Universities. The students who have previously studied in a foreign accredited, approved, or recognized college or university need to obtain an Equivalence Certificate (EC) issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi. The Evaluation Division in New Delhi issues the Equivalence Certificate (EC) so that students can get admission in Indian Universities.

What is The Association of Indian Universities?

• The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is a national body that was formed with the objective to bring together all the universities in India on a common platform through a single administrative coordinating authority to protect the interest of the students as well as the universities in India. 
• The main objective was to encourage higher education and promote university activities through engagement and co-operation in the field of education, culture, competitions, sports, and research. 
• The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is the ONLY body in India which is recognized to grant Equivalence Certificates (EC) awarded by the Foreign Universities.

The association is actively engaged in the growth and development of Higher Education. The membership includes various universities:

• Conventional Universities
• Open Universities
• Deemed to be Universities
• State Universities
• Central Universities
• Private Universities
• Institutes of National Importance.

Where to get an Equivalency Certificate?

The Evaluation Division of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is responsible to provide academic equivalence to the degrees obtained from accredited foreign Boards/universities.

Qualifications that require an Equivalence Certificate (EC) are:

• School Level Qualifications
• Higher Education Qualifications
• PGDM Programmes
• Fellow Programmes
• Professional Examinations

How to Get an Equivalency Certificate?

• The students can fill the form available at www.aiu.ac.in to get equivalency certificate
• If the study certificates have not been authenticated by the Indian Mission then the form has to be submitted with the Original Certificates
• If the certification has been done in Regional Languages i.e. Russian, French, Spanish, German etc. then the study certificates should be translated from the authorized translators and then authenticated from their Embassies or Indian Mission in the respective country before submission
• The fee is $ 200 in Indian Rupees payable through DD in favour of the "Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi"

Documents Required

• Copy of the Offer Letter sent by the foreign university
• Photocopy of the degree certificate duly attested
• The Academic Transcripts authenticated by the Indian Embassy in the foreign country or their Mission in India
• Copies of the academic certificate of education
• Copy of the transcript record of transferred hours (15 hours or above) for each institution independently
• Original letter of the Embassy of the country issuing the qualification
• Legal translation of the certificate if issued in any language other than Arabic or English.
• Proof of attendance in the country of study – passport and a proof of residence (entry and exit seals)
• Documentation on the Accreditation Status of the Institute is required for students who have studied under the US System of Education

For Grade X/XII

• Copy of the Grade X Certificate/Diploma issued by the concerned Board/Ministry of Education
• Copy of the Academic Transcript

For Diploma/Bachelor’s level programmes at Indian Universities

• Study duration: 15 years (10 + 2 + 3, except Professional degrees)
• Full-time Bachelor degree programme certificate
• Grade 12 Certificates

For Master’s/Doctoral level programmes at Indian Universities

• Official Letter stating the starting date for the Master/Doctoral degrees
• Copy of the thesis abstract and an Official Letter issued by the awarding foreign university indicating the college name and the research area and the major

All the documents should be sent to:

Evaluation Division,
Association of Indian Universities,
AIU House, 
16 Comrade Indrajit Gupta Marg (Kotla Marg),
New Delhi 110 002

Why is the Equivalence Certificate important?

An Equivalence Certificate (EC) is important because:

• It ensures academic continuity
• It is the documentation of a student’s educational qualifications
• It saves students from unnecessary hassles related to compliance and eligibility
• It helps to save time and energy during the Application Process
• It ensures that all the credits that the students have earned in their previous academic courses are accounted
• It ensures that students do not lose academic years in trying to make up for the certificate or degree

How long does it take to get Equivalency Certificate?

The normal processing time for getting the Equivalency Certificate will be around 2 to 30 business days from date of submission. The Ministry of Education always also reserves the right to request more and/or different documents on a case by case basis in case of discrepancy. 

What is the AIU approved Foreign University List 2021?

The AIU approved foreign university list and courses from where the abroad candidates will receive an Equivalence Certificate (EC):

• 12 years (10 + 2) Baccalaureate Certificate of Afghanistan, France, Iraq, and Tunisia
• 12 years (10 + 2) General Secondary Education Certificate of the Ministry of Education – Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf countries
• GCE/IGCSE/GCSE examinations of the approved British Examination Bodies from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mauritius
• High School Diploma from accredited Schools of USA
• Intermediate/Senior Secondary/Higher Secondary examinations of the approved Boards in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal
• 12 years (10 + 2) Secondary Stage qualification of National Examinations Board of the Ministry of Education, – Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania
• 12 years (10 + 2) Secondary Stage examination conducted by various Provinces in Canada and Australia
• GCE “Ordinary and Advanced” level examination of the Department of Education, Government of Sri Lanka
• 12 years (10 + 2) STPM examination of Malaysia
• 12 years (10 + 2) Secondary Stage qualification of Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Republic of Vietnam, and Yemen Arab Republic
• “Abitur” examination of Germany
• 12 years (10 + 2) High School Diploma awarded by the accredited American Schools/International Schools in other countries following American System of Education

Key Points to be kept in mind before applying for Equivalency Certificate

Equivalency Certificate (EC) In case of Provided)

• If the name of the certificate issued by the foreign university for a study programme is similar to those recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) then Equivalency Certificate (EC) will be provided
• In case the eligibility criteria and course curriculum are the same as that of Indian universities then Equivalency Certificate (EC) will be provided
• Only the institutions which are operational with the prior permission of AICTE are provided Equivalency Certificate (EC)

Equivalency Certificate (EC) (In case Not Provided)

• No Equivalency Certificate (EC) will be issued based on provisional results
• Off campus degree programmes without the permission of the Ministry of Education of the concerned Government of the foreign country will not be provided Equivalency Certificate (EC)
• Online/Distance Mode programmes will not be provided Equivalency Certificate (EC)
• 1-Year Master Degree programmes will not be provided Equivalency Certificate (EC)
• Diploma/Vocational programmes will not be provided Equivalency Certificate (EC)
• If the programmes of a foreign university are offered in India, in collaboration with Indian/Academic institutions and the degree is awarded by the parent university located abroad, Equivalency Certificate (EC) will not be provided

Exceptions:

Courses completed in a shorter duration will not be provided Equivalency Certificate (EC) EXCEPT if the foreign university furnishes a certificate proving that the candidate has completed all the requirements of graduation

Conclusion

An Equivalence Certificate (EC) is mandatory for students who have studied abroad or have foreign qualifications to enable and facilitate their admission in institutions and universities in India. This is mediated and promoted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is the ONLY body in India which is recognized to grant Equivalence Certificates (EC) awarded by the Foreign Universities.