Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) = Academic Evaluation Centre India

APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle, which means Academic Evaluation Centre.

APS India verifies the authenticity and plausibility of academic qualifications issued by Indian educational institutions for applicants who intend to study in Germany.

After successful verification, APS India issues a digital APS certificate.

Indian students with academic qualifications from India who plan to study in Germany may need an APS certificate depending on their educational background and intended study pathway.

APS India has different procedures for Class XII students, undergraduate students with completed semesters, graduates, postgraduates and certain special programs.

The APS process generally involves checking the applicable APS category, preparing the required documents, creating an online APS account, completing the application, paying the APS verification fee, printing and signing the required forms, sending the required documents by post or courier, and waiting for academic verification.

Common APS documents can include the APS application form, passport, Aadhaar card, passport-size photograph, Class 10 certificate and marksheet, Class 12 certificate and marksheet, university marksheets, degree or provisional degree certificate, language certificates where applicable, Student Authorisation Letter and other documents specified in the relevant APS checklist.

The APS application form must be completed with accurate personal and educational information.

The information entered in the APS application should match the submitted academic and identity documents.

The Student Authorisation Letter authorises APS to verify the applicant's academic records with the relevant educational institutions.

The current APS verification fee is ₹18,000.

The APS verification fee is non-refundable once paid.

Applicants should verify the current APS fee on the official APS India website before making payment.

Applicants should prepare clear and legible copies of all required documents according to the applicable APS checklist.

Applicants should not send original documents unless APS specifically requests them.

Documents issued only in a regional Indian language may require a notarized English translation.

After completing the online application and payment, applicants must submit the required documents according to the current APS instructions.

APS India accepts document submissions through post or courier.

Applicants should keep the courier receipt and tracking information until the verification process is completed.

APS verifies the authenticity and plausibility of submitted academic qualifications.

APS may contact the applicant's school, examination board, college or university for confirmation.

APS may request additional documents or information if required.

The APS verification process takes at least two weeks, but actual processing time can be longer.

Processing time can depend on application volume, document completeness and the response time of educational institutions.

APS may require an applicant to participate in an interview or provide additional information in certain cases.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their academic history, educational qualifications and study background.

After successful academic verification, APS India issues a digital APS certificate.

The APS certificate confirms the outcome of the academic verification procedure.

Applicants should keep the original digital APS certificate safely and should not modify the PDF.

APS verification and university admission are separate processes.

APS verifies academic qualifications, while the German university decides whether an applicant meets the admission requirements.

Receiving an APS certificate does not guarantee university admission.

The APS certificate is generally an important document for Indian students applying for a German student visa.

APS does not issue German visas.

The competent German mission makes the German student visa decision.

An APS certificate does not guarantee visa approval.

APS verification and TestAS are separate requirements.

APS India does not generally require every applicant to submit a TestAS result.

A particular German university or study program may require TestAS as part of its admission requirements.

The Digital Master Test, known as dMAT, is an additional requirement for certain Master's applicants in India.

The dMAT can be relevant to applicants whose previous degree falls within specified fields, including certain Engineering, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business and Management fields.

Selected Engineering graduates applying for Master's programs in Germany may be required to take the dMAT.

The affected-field list includes several engineering and computing-related fields.

Applicants should check the official APS affected-field list because the dMAT requirement depends on the official degree and field classification.

APS provides transitional exemptions for certain applicants who had already started their APS procedure before 29 June 2026.

Applicants who completed their APS online registration or submitted their complete APS documents before the applicable transition date may be exempt from the dMAT requirement for that APS procedure.

Applicants affected by the dMAT requirement may submit their APS documents before receiving the dMAT certificate.

APS can begin academic verification before receiving the dMAT certificate.

The APS certificate can only be issued after the required dMAT certificate has been submitted and checked when dMAT is applicable.

APS verification and anabin recognition are different processes.

Applicants should check the recognition status of their university and qualification in the anabin database where applicable.

APS verification does not replace anabin requirements.

Common APS mistakes include choosing the wrong APS procedure, submitting incomplete documents, entering information that does not match academic records, sending unclear copies, using outdated forms or checklists, ignoring additional requirements such as dMAT when applicable, and submitting documents too close to university or visa deadlines.

Applicants should use the latest official APS checklist.

Applicants should provide accurate information and submit complete documentation.

Applicants should keep proof of document shipment.

Applicants should respond promptly to APS requests.

Applicants should keep the digital APS certificate unchanged.

The basic APS process is: check your APS category, prepare documents, create an APS account, complete the application, pay the APS fee, print and sign the required forms, send documents by post or courier, complete academic verification, provide additional information if requested, complete dMAT if applicable, and receive the digital APS certificate.

APS requirements, fees, document checklists, processing procedures and dMAT rules can change.

Applicants should always verify the latest information on the official APS India website before submitting an application.