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Eligibility / Certificates of Equivalence
‘Eligibility Certificate & Equality Certificate’ are the two words that students and job seekers always hear when applying for higher studies in Kerala universities and for jobs in government institutions in Kerala after obtaining various degrees from outside Kerala.
What are these certificates?
Where does it come from?
What steps need to be taken to get this?
Eligibility / Certificates of Equivalence
Eligibility Certificate is a certificate attesting to the recognition of degrees by any university in Kerala or any other university in Kerala.
Currently, the Universities of Kerala generally recognize the regular undergraduate and postgraduate degrees of all Universities in India recognized by the University Grants Commission and the Association of Indian Universities. However, the benefit will not be available for distance education conducted by universities outside Kerala.
One thing that students should pay special attention to here is that they must make sure that the student has completed the undergraduate and postgraduate courses regularly and that a copy of the Transfer Certificate issued by the institution seeking proof must be attached with the application for the Eligibility Certificate.
Those who have lost their release certificate can also submit a copy of the Bonafide Certificate issued by the College Principal.
The reason for giving such a detail in this regard is that various universities run institutions called 'Partnership Institutions' in many places and such institutions are also run by children believing that they are regular institutions.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University, the largest student body in the world, and even New Delhi offer institutes and courses in various parts of India in the form of the institutions mentioned above. (Courses conducted directly by IGNOU are approved)
Universities in Kerala have included such undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the category of distance education. It is therefore not included in the regular course of study mentioned above.
⏹️ In addition, when any university in Kerala approves courses from other universities, the qualifying certificates are awarded only if the university has approved the 'qualifying degrees' and courses required to pursue that degree or postgraduate degree.
Certificate of Equivalence
This is a certificate issued by a University of Kerala certifying that undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from any other university are equivalent to the same course as the university offering the Certificate of Equivalence.
Universities in Kerala do not issue the Certificate of Equivalence for the regular courses approved by the University Grants Commission and the Association of Indian Universities.
The following factors are also required to obtain a Certificate of Equivalence.
A program with the same name as the undergraduate or postgraduate degree requiring equivalency must be running at a university offering equivalence.
Undergraduate and postgraduate programs requiring equality must be conducted by both universities under the same 'faculty'.
The duration of study for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees requiring equivalency should be the same.
Universities of Kerala issue Certificate of Equivalence for undergraduate and postgraduate courses which are regularly conducted subject to the above conditions.
When a Certificate of Equivalence is required.
Certificate of Equivalence is required from outside Kerala but at a time when undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from universities in other institutions in India are being considered for government jobs and similar purposes in Kerala. However, the Certificate of Eligibility for Higher Studies is usually issued by the Universities of Kerala.
Unlike regular degrees, outside Kerala, however, there is no general recognition of regular programs by universities in Kerala for any distance learning program offered by any university in India. Certificates of Eligibility and Equivalency can be obtained only if the degrees obtained through such distance education are recognized or equivalent across the entire course of accreditation followed by each of the Universities in Kerala.
Things to keep in mind
Each degree must have a special recognition from the university.
Once a degree is recognized, all people who have obtained that degree are eligible to receive it.
A degree is recognized. Therefore, the syllabus of that degree does not need to be renewed even if it changes from time to time.
Approval of a program that has been approved or equivalent is sometimes withdrawn by accredited universities.
Universities in Kerala
Mainly undergraduate and postgraduate level programs are conducted. There are also a few diploma and certificate courses. However, there is currently no Plus Two (+2) level program in Kerala's universities. Therefore, a Certificate of Eligibility is required when studying at these level courses and coming to the Universities of Kerala for further study.
Remember in these cases
Universities in Kerala have recognized the 'Regular' Programs of other State Plus Two Boards in India recognized as 'Eligibility for Higher Education' by the Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE). In order to approve Plus Two standard courses which are not accredited by COBSE, the original Certificate of Equivalence Certificate issued by the Directorate of Plus Two in Kerala should be produced.
Similarly, after passing the 'Polytechnic Diplomas' offered by various Technical Boards in India, a Eligibility Certificate is required for admission to B.Tech Lateral Entry in Kerala Universities.
Here again, the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) recognized the Poly Diplomas issued by the Technical Education Boards in various states recognized by Kerala and will receive the Eligibility Certificate.
As such, the original Certificate of Equivalence Certificate of Equivalence issued by the DTE in Kerala is required to submit to the University along with the application for the issuance of Eligibility Certificate for ‘Polydiplomas’ which are not recognized by the DTE Order of Kerala.
All the Universities in Kerala comply with the above requirements in issuing Eligibility and Equivalency Certificates.
Universities in Kerala have mutually recognized all the programs offered through distance education by the universities. Therefore, a certificate of eligibility will be issued. However, a certificate of equivalence will not be issued. In order to get the Certificate of Equivalency, the courses have to be completed and the equivalence has to be completed and the equivalence has to be given by the ‘Academic Council’ of the respective university.
A new open university has arrived in Kerala. The courses offered by it may be difficult to obtain a Certificate of Equivalence and Eligibility at the outset. It may change over time.
