According to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Foreign Workforce Numbers, there were approximately 203,300 Employment Pass (EP) holders in Singapore as of December 2025.
While the data is not broken down by nationality in real-time, historical data and industry trends consistently place India as a top contributor to this talent pool. For employers in Singapore, mandatory education verification for EP applications means that a large portion of verification requests are for Indian educational credentials.
Why India Is Singapore’s Largest EP Applicant Source Country
India remains a critical source of professionals, managers, executives, and technician (PMET) talent for Singapore, particularly in the ICT, Finance, and Engineering sectors. India’s high volume of English-speaking, technical graduates makes it a consistent top contributor to Singapore’s employment pool, especially in areas where there is a skills shortage or local talent gap.
With the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), the diversity of a firm’s nationality (Criterion 3) is a factor taken into consideration when MOM grants an EP. This makes the precise verification of credentials from major source countries like India even more vital for HR planning and recruitment processes.
Why Indian Degree Verification Is More Complex Than Other Countries
India’s 1,000+ Universities: Assessing Legitimacy
India has a massive ecosystem of educational institutions, with over 1,074 universities (as of 2026), including 460 state and 430 private institutions. In this education-focused environment, there is an extremely high potential for the rise of degree mills, with the risk of “too many options” leading to fraudulent credentials.
UGC Recognition vs. Non-UGC Institutions
When performing a legitimacy assessment for educational institutions, HR teams in Singapore must distinguish between diverse institution types, such as “Deemed Universities”, “Private Universities”, and “Autonomous Colleges”.
The primary benchmark is recognition by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). “UGC-approved” status is the minimum baseline for MOM acceptance and approval.
University Name Changes and Institutional Mergers
Institutional evolution adds another element of complexity to Indian degree verifications and checks. Frequent renaming of state universities, the merging of smaller colleges into large technical universities, and the conversion of colleges
to “Deemed Universities” can create discrepancies between the name on a certificate, and its current official records. It can therefore be difficult to determine whether an Indian institution’s records are accurate and up to date.
MOM Requirements for Indian Educational Credentials
Which Indian Degrees Qualify Under COMPASS Criterion 2
To score points under C2 (Qualifications), EP candidates need a “degree-equivalent” qualification.
20 points are awarded for degrees from institutions listed in MOM’s “top-tier” list of institutions. For India, this typically includes the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), certain faculties under the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISs).
10 points are awarded for foreign qualifications assessed as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, or that are well-recognised and endorsed by a relevant sector agency in Singapore.
With such complexities in the verification landscape for Indian university degrees, it is business-critical for HR teams to appoint the right background check provider in Singapore. A trusted partnership with the right provider helps to ensure a smooth and audit-ready process for education verification, helping you get ahead with top foreign talent and fast MOM approval.
The Verification Process for Indian Universities
Standard Timeline: 20–35 Business Days
Due to the manual nature of many Indian university registrars, HR leaders should budget for and allow 20 to 35 business days for the verification of foreign qualifications. While India is transitioning toward a digital database, many checks currently still involve physical site visits or manual postal verifications, meaning you will need to allow extra time.
Here is a timeline guide for MOM verification providers in Singapore, including additional factors to consider that may affect verification speed.
How Verification Is Conducted: Registrar, Digital, Third-Party
Education verification can be registrar-led, requiring direct communication with the Indian university’s Controller of Examinations.
While digital platforms like DigiLocker are growing, MOM typically requires a formal report from a third-party screening provider to ensure the “source of truth” is verified.
As of September 2023, any qualification used to score points under C2 must be verified by an MOM-approved background screening company. This is a non-negotiable step in the EP application process and helps to fasttrack the process.
Red Flags: Diploma Mills and Unaccredited Institutions
The UGC regularly publishes a list of unaccredited institutions that “award” degrees in violation of the UGC Act. Degrees from these institutions will result in immediate EP rejection and potential blacklisting of the candidate(s).
A common red flag is the issuance of degrees with graduation dates that do not align with the candidate’s work history or the university’s accreditation period. There are also other ways to spot a diploma mill, with warning signs that might require further investigation. It is recommended that you do your research thoroughly before progressing a candidate’s application.
Verification Challenges Specific to Indian Credentials
Institutional Non-Response
Older or state-run universities in India may require physical visits or “in-person” follow-ups at the registrar’s office to retrieve records. Much of the verification timeline also depends on how responsive these institutions are to verification requests. Lack of responsiveness due to administrative backlog or time zone issues, for example, can stall an EP application.
Name Variations and Transliteration Discrepancies
Discrepancies between the name order on a passport (given name / surname) and the degree certificate (which may list the surname first or include initials instead of the full name) are common. These require a formal “Same Person” affidavit or a letter of clarification from the educational institution.
Distance Learning and Online Programs
MOM is particularly strict about distance learning degrees from India. Degrees acquired via distance are generally not awarded points under COMPASS unless they are deemed equivalent to a full-time degree through rigorous evaluation or reputable endorsement.
How RMI Handles Indian University Verification
RMI’s specific expertise in the Indian market means we utilise a dedicated network of “direct to source” verification specialists on the ground. These specialists understand the specific nuances of regional universities and state-level education boards in India.
With proactive discrepancy management and rigorous data checks, we identify name variations and accreditation issues early in the process. This allows HR teams to address potential issues before the formal EP submission occurs.
As a MOM-approved background screening partner, RMI’s verification reports are formatted to meet exact MOM standards. We help you ensure that the C2 points claimed in your COMPASS assessment are supported by airtight evidence.
Contact us today to learn more about the RMI advantage in education verification and background checks in Singapore