What is AIU?

AIU stands for Association of Indian Universities. It is an apex inter-university organisation that has been associated with Indian higher education since 1925. AIU works with universities and higher education institutions on academic cooperation, equivalence, internationalisation and other areas of higher education.

One of AIU's important functions is providing equivalence certificates for eligible foreign qualifications. AIU states that it has been entrusted with according academic equivalence to qualifications awarded by accredited, approved or recognised foreign universities and institutions for purposes including higher studies and employment.

AIU's role should not be confused with that of statutory regulatory bodies such as UGC, AICTE, NMC or NCTE. AIU's equivalence function primarily concerns determining academic comparability of eligible qualifications.

Role of AIU in Higher Education

AIU performs several functions within the higher education ecosystem. Its activities include academic equivalence, inter-university cooperation, internationalisation, academic exchange and services for member universities and other stakeholders.

Its Equivalence Division evaluates foreign qualifications according to prescribed policies, procedures and requirements. AIU's current information states that equivalence is based on factors including whether the awarding foreign university is appropriately recognised or accredited in its country, the mode and location of study, the minimum duration of the programme and the minimum eligibility requirements.

AIU also provides online facilities for students to apply for equivalence and verify equivalence certificates.

Why is AIU Important for Students?

AIU is particularly important for students who have completed their education outside India and need to establish the academic equivalence of their foreign qualification.

An AIU equivalence certificate can be relevant when a student needs to demonstrate that a foreign qualification is comparable to an Indian qualification for higher education or employment purposes, subject to the requirements of the relevant institution, employer or authority. AIU notes that foreign qualifications recognised or equated by it are treated as recognised for employment to posts and services under the Central Government, pursuant to the relevant government notification.

Students should remember that AIU equivalence is not the same as approval or accreditation of a university or programme. It is an assessment of the equivalence of an eligible qualification.

AIU and Foreign Degree Equivalence

AIU is the nodal agency for granting equivalence to eligible degrees awarded by foreign universities and institutions. According to AIU's current criteria, the foreign university should be approved, recognised or accredited in its own country. Other considerations include the mode of study, duration of the programme and minimum eligibility requirements.

AIU's stated criteria include:

• The degree should be awarded by a foreign university recognised or accredited in its own country.
• The programme should generally be pursued as a full-time regular programme on the university's campus or an appropriately approved offshore campus.
• The programme's minimum prescribed duration should be at least comparable to the applicable Indian programme.
• The minimum eligibility requirements should be at least comparable to those applicable in India.

Students should check AIU's latest policies before applying because equivalence requirements can depend on the particular qualification and applicable rules.

AIU and Foreign School Qualifications

AIU also has a role in determining equivalence of certain foreign school-board qualifications. Its official platform provides a separate process for foreign school boards and explains that equivalence is granted according to an approved Standard Operating Procedure.

AIU also handles equivalence for eligible Indian school boards under the mandate provided by the Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The relevant framework provides for equivalence of Indian school-board certificates for purposes including higher education and employment.

AIU and PGDM Equivalence

AIU also provides an equivalence process for certain two-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) qualifications awarded by eligible standalone institutions outside the university system.

AIU's published information states that it is responsible for according equivalence to eligible two-year full-time PGDM and four-year Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) qualifications with MBA and Ph.D. degrees of Indian universities, respectively, for the purpose of admission to higher studies.

The equivalence of a specific qualification depends on the applicable AIU requirements and should be verified through the official process.

AIU and University/Programme Selection

When evaluating a foreign qualification or an institution that claims AIU recognition, students should understand exactly what the AIU status represents.

Students should verify:

• The exact name of the awarding university or institution.
• Whether the qualification is eligible for AIU equivalence.
• The specific programme and qualification awarded.
• The mode and location of study.
• Programme duration and eligibility requirements.
• Whether an AIU equivalence certificate is required for the intended higher education or employment purpose.
• The latest AIU rules applicable to the qualification.

Students should not interpret AIU membership, AIU equivalence or AIU association as being identical to statutory approval from a regulatory body.

AIU Equivalence Certificate

Students who need an equivalence certificate can use AIU's online evaluation system. AIU provides an online facility for applying for equivalence of foreign qualifications and also provides a facility to verify an equivalence certificate using its certificate number.

AIU states that equivalence certificates issued from 1 July 2020 onward can be verified online through its website using the Equivalence Certificate number.

Explore Programmes on EasyShiksha

At EasyShiksha, students can explore higher education programmes, compare available academic options and review relevant course information before applying.

EasyShiksha does not itself issue AIU equivalence certificates. Students who require equivalence for a foreign qualification should independently verify the latest AIU requirements and complete the official equivalence process where applicable.