Question : Dual Degree Courses

(a) whether the Government has permitted foreign universities to offer dual degree
courses in the country in agreement with higher education Institutes;
(b) if so, the names of such foreign universities along with the details of courses offered
by these universities;
(c) whether the Government has also permitted the foreign universities to award
degrees under distance learning in different courses in the country and if so, the details
thereof;
(d) whether the Government is formulating a policy to grant permission to foreign
universities for setting up universities in the country;
(e) whether the Government has allowed foreign universities to offer degrees in different
disciplines through distance education in the country; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a) to (f): No, Madam. At present there is no law which allows the entry and operation of
foreign educational providers to set up their campuses and offer dual degree in India.
However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the UGC (Promotion
and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign
Educational Institutions) Regulations 2016, which spell out the modalities regarding the
eligibility criteria and the conditions for the collaboration of a foreign educational
institution with an Indian educational institution. The regulations stipulates that the
degree of the student graduating from Indian Educational Institution, in collaborative
arrangement with Foreign Educational Institution, shall be awarded only by the Indian
Educational Institution and not by Foreign Educational Institution whatsoever and Joint
degrees are not permitted. The degree may incorporate a para that ‘this degree is being
awarded in collaboration with the Foreign Educational Institution’ to make it amply clear
that the primacy and the award of the degree is by the Indian Educational Institution and
that the degree awarded is not to be construed as a Joint Degree.
AICTE has also issued Regulations for Entry and Operation of Foreign
Universities/Institutions imparting Technical Education in India to facilitate collaboration
and partnerships between Indian and Foreign Universities/Institutions in the field of
technical education, research and training.