New Delhi: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic credential verification and integrate skill-based education into Indian universities. The collaboration will introduce a digital verification system using the National Academic Depository (NAD) and institutional databases, enabling universities and colleges to process academic and professional verifications through online portals and API integration. This initiative aims to streamline verification processes and curb fraudulent credential practices.

Ved Mani Tiwari, COO and officiating CEO of NSDC, emphasized that aligning skill-based education with academic qualifications will reinforce India’s reputation as a global talent hub. AIU President Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak stated that integrating skill-based courses with traditional education will create a workforce equipped with both theoretical expertise and practical experience.

To enhance transparency, the NSDC Trust Platform will be deployed for credential validation and authentication. AIU will encourage Indian and international institutions within its network to adopt this platform for direct verification from issuing authorities. The partnership will also introduce a global academic equivalence platform to compare educational qualifications across different countries. While AIU will develop equivalence algorithms, NSDC will manage the platform’s technological development.

By leveraging technology for verification and integrating skills into academic frameworks, NSDC and AIU aim to strengthen the credibility of Indian higher education, improve global recognition of Indian credentials, and facilitate smoother academic mobility for students.