India Higher Education

India is the world’s largest democracy, most densely populated country and the world’s fourth largest economy. India is increasingly a crucial market for international companies, and a stay in India can include provide insight into the opportunities and challenges that one of the world’s largest emerging countries is facing today. At the higher level, the Indian education system is the third largest in the world and it houses around 45,000 educational institutions. According to Countryaah, India is located in Southern part of Asian Continent.

The Indian subcontinent was united as one country under British colonial rule. In 1947, India – which at that time also constituted present-day Pakistan – gained its independence. India today is a secular, democratic republic with a federal form of government. The country is led by a central government along with 28 state governments.

Higher education in India

Higher education in India is offered by universities, higher education institutions deemed to be universities, colleges and institutions which are declared of ‘”national importance “.

These provide opportunities for the following degrees:

First grades (after 12 years of schooling)

Bachelor of Arts, Science and Commerce et al. (3 years), possibly. in the form of Honors or Special (specialized).
Bachelor of Engineering and corresponding professional bachelor programs (4 years)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree (MBBS)(5½ years)
Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (5 years)
Bachelor of Law (5 years).

While professionally oriented bachelor programs are 4-year, the broad, academic bachelor programs have traditionally been 3-year.

Postgraduate degrees (according to the relevant bachelor’s degree)

Bachelor of Education, Journalism or Librarianship (1-2 years)
Bachelor of Law (3 years)
Master of Arts, Commerce, Science or Management (2 years).
Master’s Programs in Engineering and Technology (2 years).
Master in Medicine and Surgery (2 years).
Integrated master (5 to 6 years).
Post-graduate diploma (PGD)(1-2 years).

The individual degrees are usually awarded in first, second and third class / division depending on the student’s results.

Degrees of research

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and the Indian PhD program are a 1½-year and 3-year research degree based on a master’s degree, respectively. Some universities allow MBBS / BE degree students on PhD programs.
Doctor of Science (DSc) and Doctor of Literature (Dlitt) are awarded 2 to 3 years after a PhD. for independent research work. (Read more about higher education in the Country Handbook under India)

The research degrees are offered at these central institutions:

Approximately 306 State Universities, established and supported by the various states, with support from the University Grants Commission, UGC
Approx. 154 State Private Universities established by the Länder but privately funded.
Approx. 130 Deemed to be Universities; institutions that are often established by the industry within a particular subject area, but which enjoy the same academic status as a university. A number of National Institutes of Technology have been given this status.
Approx. 67 Institutions of National Importance: institutions of particularly high level, funded by the Central Government of India. Includes i.a. Indian Institutes of Technology
Approx. 33,000 Colleges: Most universities are of the so-called “affiliating type”. Here, the teaching takes place at bachelor level at affiliated colleges, which is a network of private or state-funded institutes, affiliated with a university. Curricula and exams are checked by the university. The university itself concentrates on master’s and research degrees as well as research.
Other institutions; Research institutions administered by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, as well as research laboratories. Includes i.a. In Indian Institutes of Management, for example in Bangalore,as well as Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore .

At the University Grants Commission, you can read about the various universities and colleges in India, and from here find links to the individual universities’ websites.

Recognition of foreign educations in Denmark

If you have completed a publicly recognized education abroad, you can have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Research and Education

Practical conditions

Study visa

As a student at an Indian educational institution, you qualify for a student visa to India. To obtain a visa, your educational institution must be publicly approved and you must be able to document admission to the institution in question. A study visa is issued for up to 5 years, depending on the length of your study stay.

General Info

Useful links for your stay in India

The National Portal of India gives you an overview of information on various administrative areas in India – from education to visas and housing.
If you need to travel around India during your stay, Incredible India can help with relevant information.
Study in India and the Indian Ministry of Education can help you with information about studying in India
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has general information about India, travel guides and info about Denmark and India’s relations.

If you are applying for education in India, it is crucial that you thoroughly research the quality of the education. There can be a big difference between the educational institutions, the educations and the form of teaching internally in the country. You can obtain knowledge and experience about educations from relevant professionals in Denmark (eg teachers / researchers with knowledge of the subject area or the country), the international offices at Danish educational institutions or Danish students who have been to India.