According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, skills like analytical thinking, creativity, and resilience are now top global priorities.
🔗 https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/

When degrees fail to build these competencies, their global value declines.

2. Low Representation in Global Rankings

Global university rankings strongly influence perception.

Reports from QS World University Rankings show limited Indian representation in the top 100 institutions worldwide.
🔗 https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings

While India has excellent institutions like IITs and IISc, the majority of colleges struggle with:

Research output
International collaborations
Infrastructure quality
Faculty-student ratio

Global visibility affects international recognition.

3. Research & Innovation Gap

Countries like the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea invest heavily in:

Research funding
Industry-academia partnerships
Innovation ecosystems

India’s higher education system still lags in:

Research commercialization
Patent output
Startup incubation at the university level

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, India’s R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP remains lower than that of many developed economies.
🔗 http://uis.unesco.org/

Without strong research backing, degrees lose competitive strength internationally.

4. Employability Concerns

Several surveys over the years have indicated that a significant portion of Indian graduates are not immediately job-ready.

Employers often report gaps in:

Communication skills
Practical experience
Industry exposure
Soft skills

This issue directly affects how Indian degrees are perceived abroad.

👉 Related internal reading:
🔗 Marks vs Skills: What Parents Must Understand
https://www.admissionmantra.in/blogs/marks-vs-skills-what-parents-must-understand/

The problem isn’t intelligence—it’s alignment.

5. Outdated Curriculum in Many Institutions

While some top institutions evolve rapidly, many colleges still follow outdated syllabi that:

Don’t match current industry needs
Lack of interdisciplinary exposure
Ignore digital transformation

In contrast, global institutions regularly revise programs based on industry demand.

👉 Related internal blog:
🔗 Skill-Based Degrees vs Traditional Degrees in India
https://admissionmantra.in/blogs/skill-based-vs-traditional-degrees-india-2026/

The shift from theory-heavy education to skill-integrated learning is essential.

6. Global Mobility & Recognition Challenges

International degree recognition depends on:

Accreditation standards
Credit transfer systems
International collaboration agreements

The OECD highlights that cross-border recognition improves employability and mobility.
🔗 https://www.oecd.org/education/

While India is improving through reforms like NEP 2020, implementation consistency is still evolving.

How to Fix It: The Way Forward

The solution does not lie in rejecting Indian degrees. It lies in upgrading them.

1. Integrate Skills With Academics

Degrees must combine:

Theory
Practical projects
Internships
Industry exposure

Students should graduate with both:
📘 Knowledge
🛠 Capability

2. Strengthen Industry Collaboration

Colleges must:

Partner with companies
Offer real-world case studies
Encourage live projects
Promote internships

Industry-integrated degrees significantly improve employability and global value.

3. Focus on Research & Innovation

India needs:

Increased R&D funding
University startup ecosystems
International research partnerships
Faculty development programs

Innovation drives recognition.

4. Improve Soft Skills & Communication Training

Global success requires:

English proficiency
Presentation skills
Cultural adaptability
Leadership training

Degrees must develop the complete professional, not just a subject expert.

5. Encourage International Exposure

Exchange programs, global certifications, and online international collaborations improve:

Global recognition
Cross-cultural competence
Resume strength

Students must think beyond local boundaries.

6. Embrace NEP 2020 Reforms Fully

India’s National Education Policy aims to:

Introduce multidisciplinary learning
Promote skill-based education
Increase flexibility
Encourage research

Proper implementation can significantly restore global credibility.

What Students Can Do Personally

Even if institutions lag, students can:

✔ Build practical skills
✔ Take online global certifications
✔ Do internships
✔ Work on real-world projects
✔ Improve communication
✔ Develop digital expertise

Degrees open doors—but students must build value.

👉 Related reading:
🔗 Careers That Will Not Be Replaced by AI in India
https://admissionmantra.in/blogs/careers-not-replaced-by-ai-india/

Final Thoughts: Indian Degrees Are Not Weak—They Need Evolution

Indian degrees are not inherently inferior.
But in a rapidly evolving global landscape, they must adapt faster.

The real issue is not nationality—it is relevance.

When Indian institutions:

Embrace innovation
Prioritize skills
Strengthen research
Encourage global collaboration

Their global value will naturally rise.

The future belongs not to degrees alone—but to degrees backed by capability, innovation, and global perspective.

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Why Indian Degrees Are Losing Global Value

A Growing Concern for Students and Parents

1. The Global Skills Gap Problem