Indian students are advised not to take pursue academic courses from any educational institution in Pakistan, the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education said in a joint statement on Friday.
“Any Indian national or an overseas citizen of India who intends to take admission in any degree college or educational institution of Pakistan shall not be eligible for seeking employment or higher studies in India based on such educational qualifications [in any subject] acquired in Pakistan,” reads the statement.
Students who have enrolled in degree colleges in Pakistan will not be eligible for a job or to pursue higher education in India based on degrees acquired in the neighboring country, the statement added.
According to data released by the Ministry of External Affairs on July 22, 2021, out of the total 11,33,749 Indian students studying abroad, only a fraction of i.e. 230 students study in Pakistan. The UGC and the AICTE have, however, offered relaxation to migrants and their children who have acquired citizenship in India.
“Migrants and their children who have acquired higher education degree in Pakistan and have been awarded citizenship by India would be eligible for seeking employment in India after obtaining Security Clearance from MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs],” it said.
Pakistan said on Monday that it has sought “clarification” from India on the recent joint notice issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), advising students to not choose Pakistan for pursuing higher education.
“We have sought clarification from the Indian government concerning the said public notice. Pakistan reserves the right to take appropriate measures in response to this openly discriminatory and inexplicable action by India,” the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.