How can I verify if a degree is real in India?

Verify a degree in India by: (1) Checking NAD (National Academic Depository) for digitised degrees; (2) Contacting the university registrar or examination cell; (3) Using UGC/AICTE recognition status; (4) Running document tampering checks (e.g. DocuGuard AI) on the certificate. BGV providers like MPloyChek combine these for fast education verification.

What is NAD in degree verification?

NAD (National Academic Depository) is a government portal that stores digitised academic awards (degrees, diplomas, certificates). Verifying through NAD confirms the degree was issued by a recognised institution and helps detect fake or altered documents.

How long does degree verification take in India?

Digital verification via NAD can be same-day to 2–3 days. Direct university verification typically takes 3–15 business days depending on institution response. With a BGV provider, education verification can complete in 6 hours to 48 hours where digital sources are available.

How to Verify a Degree is Real in India 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

How to verify a degree is real in India is a top question for HR and recruiters. Fake degrees and altered marksheets are a real risk—so degree verification through NAD, direct university contact, and document tampering detection is essential. This guide walks you through how to verify a degree in India 2026: NAD verification, UGC recognition, university checks, and using DocuGuard AI for fake degree detection.

Step 1: Check NAD (National Academic Depository)

NAD holds digitised academic awards from many Indian institutions. To verify a degree is real:

Candidate can share a NAD-verified digital credential, or
Your education verification provider checks NAD using consent and candidate details.

If the degree is on NAD and matches the candidate’s name, course, and institution, it’s a strong signal the degree is real. NAD does not cover all institutions or older batches—so combine with other checks.

Step 2: Verify University Recognition (UGC / AICTE)

Confirm the institution is recognised:

UGC for universities and deemed universities.
AICTE for technical education (engineering, management, etc.).
State education boards for school-level certificates.

Unrecognised institutions mean the degree may not be valid. Use this before or alongside direct university verification.

Step 3: Direct University / College Verification

For a definitive answer, contact the institution:

Registrar office or examination cell.
Provide: candidate name, roll number, registration number, course, year of passing.
Request confirmation of degree award and marks (if applicable).

This can take 3–15 business days. Education verification services like MPloyChek handle this and combine it with NAD where available.

Screen for Tampering Before Verification

Before sending for degree verification, run the certificate through DocuGuard AI to detect document tampering, copy-paste forgery, or AI-generated content. Combined with NAD and university checks, you get a full fake degree check. Try DocuGuard AI.

Step 4: Document Authenticity Check (Tampering Detection)

Physical or PDF certificates can be altered. Use document tampering detection to:

Spot layout inconsistencies, font mismatches, or cloned regions.
Flag possible AI-generated or edited text.
Reduce risk when NAD or university response is delayed.

DocuGuard AI from MPloyChek does this in seconds—ideal for degree verification and education verification workflows.

How Long Does Degree Verification Take?

Degree verification in India timing:

NAD/digital: Same day to 2–3 days where data is available.
Direct university: 3–15 business days.
Full education verification (NAD + university + tampering check): 6 hours to 48 hours with a fast BGV provider.

MPloyChek offers education verification with 6-hour turnaround for digital checks and integrated DocuGuard AI for document authenticity.

Degree Verification + Tampering Check in One Flow

Get degree verification and fake degree detection in one flow: NAD, university contact, and DocuGuard AI for document check. Request a demo.

Summary

How to verify a degree is real in India: Use NAD where available, confirm UGC/AICTE recognition, get direct university verification, and run a document tampering check (e.g. DocuGuard AI). Combining these steps gives you a reliable degree verification and fake degree check for hiring in India 2026.

Need Fast Degree Verification?

Education verification with NAD, university check, and DocuGuard AI. 6-hour turnaround.

Request Demo