Highlights UGC had received requests from the three institutes New Delhi: The University Grants Commission on Monday (March 15) passed an order stating that that the Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), or Cost and Works Accountant (ICWA) qualifications will be treated as equivalent to postgraduate degrees. The Commission resolved a long-pending issue of parity between the three courses and other post-graduate courses. The move will enable those who have completed the three courses to pursue PhD in their respective disciplines. "The UGC had received requests from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, to consider the qualification being awarded by them - CA, CS and ICWA, equivalent to post-graduation degrees," the UGC said in a statement.