The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have entered into a transformative partnership for academic credential verification and integrate skill-based courses into higher education across India.
The partnership will establish a robust, technology-driven verification system for academic and skill qualifications awarded by Indian institutions. Utilising the National Academic Depository (NAD) and institution-level data, it will streamline academic and professional verification, enabling universities and colleges to efficiently process verifications via online interfaces or API integration.
During his address Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International said, “This partnership with AIU reflects NSDC’s mission to empower India’s workforce by integrating academic and skill-based credentials into a transparent, technology-driven framework. Through NSDC Trust, we aim to establish a secure and reliable system for credential verification and enhance global recognition of educational qualifications. We are aligning skilling with education and this initiative strengthens India’s position as a trusted provider of future-ready talent, ensuring students and institutions can seamlessly access opportunities in an increasingly interconnected global economy.”
This initiative aims to strengthen international trust in Indian credentials through a transparent and reliable authentication framework, improving India’s reputation in education and skill development globally.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi, outlines the collaboration’s goal to enhance the global credibility of Indian qualifications and prepare students with future-ready skills.
To combat fraudulent practices and enhance transparency, the ‘NSDC Trust Platform’ will serve as the backbone for credential validation and authentication. AIU will encourage its network of Indian and foreign institutions to adopt this platform, fostering direct verification from issuing institutions.
“AIU and NSDC have partnered to seamlessly integrate skill education in academic programs in Indian higher education institutions. The MoU also includes other collaborative arrangements, such as the verification of Indian qualifications. This initiative aims to create a future-ready workforce by equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.” said Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, President of AIU.
Moreover, the partnership will introduce a global academic equivalence platform to compare certificates, diplomas, and degrees worldwide. AIU will provide the equivalence algorithms and framework, while NSDC will develop and manage the platform’s end-to-end technology. This platform is expected to streamline the academic credential equivalence process, ensuring greater efficiency and accessibility for students and academic institutions.
AIU will facilitate the participation of its academic network in the OTN and NSDC Trust ecosystem, while NSDC will ensure secure and seamless integration for these institutions. Together, NSDC and AIU are poised to reshape India’s academic and skills landscape, reinforcing its position on the global stage.
