APS Update on H+, H+/- and H- Indian Private Universities Accreditation - Are you Eligible to Study in Germany?

Last updated: May 2026

Are you a student with a Bachelor's degree from an Indian private university? Are you unsure and worried about your eligibility to study your Master's in Germany because of the recent developments about university accreditations? The recent APS update about the UGC accreditation of Indian private universities has caused quite a stir! It is a crucial update on the eligibility of Indian students to apply for a Master's in Germany. In this blog, we have covered it all, deconstructing and explaining the APS Update about the Indian private universities accreditation.

The APS Update On 3rd June 2024, the APS India website posted the following update about UGC accreditation for Indian private universities As the news got rolling, it gave raise to plenty of questions and doubts about what this update exactly means. Let us examine each part of this update to understand how it will impact the admission of Indian students into German universities for studying their Master's.

What Does the APS Update Mean ?

In broad terms, the APS update on UGC accreditation implies that Indian students who have earned their Bachelor's degree from private universities in India need to ensure that their university is fully accredited by the UGC. The university should hold a H+ accreditation status on the Anabin Database. This accreditation is now a necessary criterion for admission into German universities for their Master's studies. This change aims to uphold the quality of education and ensure that students possess a legitimate and recognized degree. It came into effect on 18th June, 2024 and remains applicable as of 2026. Important Note: This update is only for Private universities in India. Let us now get a deeper understanding of various aspects of this update.

What is UGC?

UGC, or the University Grants Commission, is an apex statutory organization in India responsible for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of university education. It provides recognition and accreditation to universities in India, ensuring that the quality of education provided by these institutions meets the required standards. UGC accreditation is crucial for degrees to be recognized nationally and internationally.

What is UGC Accreditation?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) confers accreditation through an autonomous body known as the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). NAAC is responsible for assessing and grading institutions of higher education in India. When NAAC accredits a university, it evaluates the institution based on several parameters. These include the quality of teaching and learning, the research output, the adequacy of infrastructure, the level of student support, and the overall improvement efforts of the university. Based on these evaluations, NAAC assigns a grade to the university, which is a reflection of its quality and standards.

What is the Validity of UGC Accreditation?

The validity of UGC/NAAC accreditation is typically for a period of five years. After this period, the university must apply for re-accreditation. This ensures that the standards of the university are continuously monitored and updated to meet the evolving needs of education. It's important to know that the accreditation, is not a one-time achievement. Institutions need to continually strive for excellence and make improvements to maintain their accreditation status. This continuous appraisal ensures the degrees awarded by these universities remain valid and acceptable both nationally and internationally.

Who Can Apply for UGC Accreditation?

UGC Accreditation is open to various types of higher education institutions in India. These institutions must meet certain criteria and follow the processes set by the UGC to receive and maintain their accreditation. Here is a list of institutions that typically apply for UGC Accreditation:

• Central Universities

• State Universities

• Private Universities

• Deemed to be Universities

• Autonomous Colleges

What is the Anabin Database?

The Anabin database is maintained by the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), which is responsible for assessing and recognizing foreign educational institutions and their qualifications. In essence, they evaluate how a foreign university degree compares to an equivalent qualification in the German education system. Every time ZAB completes an assessment of an overseas institution or qualification, its findings are added to the Anabin database. This allows individuals to access the database to understand how their foreign institution or qualification is recognized in Germany. The database categorizes universities and their degrees into "H+", "H+/-", and "H-". Currently, there are more than 1500 Indian universities listed in the Anabin Database.

What Do "H+", "H+/-" and "H-" Mean? - "H+" Status:

It means that the university is recognized in Germany. Thus, degrees obtained from these universities are generally accepted in Germany. - "H+/-" Status: It means that there is no clear recognition status for the university in Germany and each degree is evaluated and decided on on a case-by-case basis. - "H-" Status:

It means that the university is not recognized in Germany. Therefore, degrees from these universities are typically not recognized for further studies in Germany.

How to Use the Anabin Website to Find if your University is Recognized in Germany?

To use the Anabin database to check if your university is recognized in Germany, follow these steps: 1. Go to the Anabin database website: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html 2. Click on "Institutions" from the menu on the left . Or, you can click on "I would like to find out whether my foreign university is recognized in Germany." under Quick Start 1. On the next page, click on 'Seek'. 1. Click on the "Open country selection" button 1. Tick the check box for 'India'. 1. Then click on the 'confirm country selection' button on top. 1. The list of Indian universities available on Anabin website is displayed. You can navigate and look up your university's name and status. #

What If my University's Status is H+?

If your university's status is H+, it means that your university is recognized in Germany and your degree is accepted. So, you can certainly apply to German universities for Master's, with your degree.

What If my University's Status is H+/- or H- If your university's status is H+/-, it means that the recognition status of your university in Germany is unclear. If your university's status is H-, it means that your university is not recognized in Germany. Unfortunately, in both cases, according to the latest APS update, you are not eligible to apply to German universities for Master's. Don't lose hope yet! The Anabin database gets updated periodically and your university might get recognized in due time.

Conclusion In conclusion, understanding the accreditation of your university and its recognition in Germany is crucial if you're planning to pursue your Master's in Germany. Not sure if you need an APS certificate?

Try our APS Eligibility Quiz to find out. While the recent APS update may seem daunting, it's primarily focused on maintaining the quality and global recognition of education. Remember, if your university holds an H+ status on the Anabin database and is accredited by UGC, you're eligible to apply for a Master's in Germany. If not, keep checking the Anabin database regularly, as it's updated periodically. No matter the circumstances, don't lose heart. Keep striving for your goals, and you will find a way to achieve them. APS Certificate Processing: Once you apply, expect the APS certificate to take 4 to 8 weeks to process. The APS certificate is mandatory for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam. Plan your application timeline accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the APS update on UGC accreditation?

The APS update indicates that for admission into German universities for Master's studies, Indian students who have earned their Bachelor's degree from private universities in India need to ensure that their university is fully accredited by the UGC and holds an H+ accreditation status on the Anabin database.

2. What is UGC accreditation? UGC, or the University Grants Commission, grants accreditation through an autonomous body called the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). NAAC assesses and grades higher education institutions in India based on various parameters, such as quality of teaching and learning, research output, adequacy of infrastructure, and level of student support.

3. Is UGC accreditation valid forever? No, UGC/NAAC accreditation typically has a validity of five years. After this period, the university must apply for re-accreditation.

4. What is the Anabin database? The Anabin database is maintained by the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), which assesses how a degree from a foreign university compares to a similar qualification in the German education system.

5. What do "H+", "H+/-" and "H-" mean? "H+" status means that the university is recognized in Germany. "H+/-" status means that the recognition status of the university in Germany is unclear. "H-" status means that the university is not recognized in Germany.

6. What if my university's status is H- or H+/-? If your university's status is H- or H+/-, you are not eligible to apply to German universities for a Master's according to the latest APS update. However, don't lose hope as the Anabin database gets updated periodically and your university might get recognized eventually.

7. How often is the Anabin database updated? The Anabin database is updated periodically, but there isn't a fixed schedule for these updates. Therefore, it's recommended to check the database regularly for the most recent information.

8. Does this APS update affect students from government universities? No. This update specifically targets students from Indian private universities. Students from central, state, and deemed-to-be universities that hold H+ status are not affected by this particular update.

9. How long does the APS certificate take to process? The APS certificate typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to process after submitting a complete application. It is required for all applicants from India, China, and Vietnam applying to German universities.

10. Can I still apply to German universities if my university has H+/- status? Under the current rules, H+/- status means your degree will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but APS may not issue a certificate for private universities without full H+ status. Contact APS India directly for guidance on your specific situation.

List of Indian Universities with H+ Status (As on 14.06.2024)