India advances higher education globalization with 15 foreign universities set to establish campuses

India's efforts to expand the global footprint of its higher education sector have gained momentum, with 15 foreign universities receiving approval to establish campuses in the country under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework.

In a recent post on X, the Ministry of Education said the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023, have strengthened India's international academic standing while fostering quality and competition in higher education.

According to the ministry, 15 foreign universities have been granted Letters of Intent (LoIs) under the regulations, enabling them to set up campuses in India.

The initiative is intended to bring globally reputed institutions closer to Indian students and create opportunities for international education without the need to study overseas.

The Ministry of Education stated that these campuses will provide world-class education and research opportunities within the country.

The presence of foreign institutions is also expected to enhance academic collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange, and give students access to international curricula and teaching practices.

The initiative is in line with the objectives of NEP 2020, which aims to reshape India's education ecosystem through greater emphasis on innovation, research, and global engagement.

According to an infographic shared by the ministry, the foreign university campuses are expected to maintain student-teacher ratios ranging from 12:1 to 25:1, allowing for increased academic support and more personalized learning experiences.

The government also highlighted the potential cost benefits for students. Degrees offered at these campuses could be between 18% and 74% less expensive than pursuing the same programs at the institutions' overseas campuses.

Officials said the reduced costs could make international education accessible to a wider segment of Indian students while lowering the financial burden typically associated with studying abroad.

The development is being viewed as a significant milestone in India's ambition to emerge as a global education hub and expand access to internationally benchmarked higher education within the country.