**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Education responded on February 2, 2026, to Unstarred Question No. 375 regarding the establishment of foreign university campuses in India. The response details the number of Letters of Intent (LoIs) issued by the UGC to Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) for establishing campuses in India and outlines the regulatory framework and support mechanisms in place. Key deadlines are not applicable in this document.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Letters of Intent:**
* The UGC has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to FHEIs from Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
* Campuses are proposed for Bengaluru (Karnataka), Delhi NCR, Mumbai (Maharashtra), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
* **Academic Programs:**
* FHEIs intend to offer programs in business, economics, accounting, finance, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game design, entrepreneurship, innovation, biomedical sciences, and other emerging fields.
* **Regulatory Framework:**
* The UGC regulatory framework ensures that education imparted in India is of the same standard as the parent campus abroad, while complying with Indian laws and regulations.
* Qualifications awarded by FHEIs under UGC Regulations will be equivalent to corresponding qualifications from Indian Higher Educational Institutions.
* No further equivalence from any authority will be required for FHEI qualifications.
* **Evaluation and Support Mechanisms:**
* UGC has instituted a single-window clearance mechanism and a high-powered Standing Committee to evaluate proposals.
* Only FHEIs ranked within the top 500 globally ranked universities are eligible.
* Applicants must submit the latest accreditation or quality assurance reports from recognized bodies.
* A 'Facilitation Committee for FHEIs' was constituted on December 16, 2025, to assist FHEIs in establishing campuses after the LoI is handed over by UGC.
* The Facilitation Committee also oversees and monitors academic, financial, and governance aspects.
**Impact Analysis**
**Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs)**
* **Impact**: The document outlines the requirements and opportunities for FHEIs to establish branch campuses in India.
* **Action Required**: FHEIs must comply with UGC regulations, submit accreditation reports, and work with the Facilitation Committee for establishment support.
**Indian Higher Educational Institutions**
* **Impact**: The document establishes that qualifications from FHEIs will be recognized as equivalent, which may impact competition and collaboration.
* **Action Required**: Monitor the establishment of FHEI campuses and adapt programs to remain competitive.
**Students**
* **Impact**: Students will have more options to gain foreign qualifications in India.
* **Action Required**: Research and consider FHEI programs when making educational decisions.
**University Grants Commission (UGC)**
* **Impact**: The UGC is responsible for regulating and facilitating the establishment of FHEI campuses.
* **Action Required**: Ensure compliance with established regulatory framework and provide necessary support to FHEIs.
Key Entities Referenced
University Grants Commission (UGC): The primary regulator overseeing the establishment of foreign university campuses in India.
UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023: The specific regulations governing the establishment and operation of foreign higher education institution campuses in India.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for matters related to education, including the establishment of foreign university campuses.
Letters of Intent (LoIs): Formal letters issued by the UGC to foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) expressing intent to establish campuses in India.
Facilitation Committee for FHEIs: A government committee created to assist foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) in establishing campuses in India after receiving a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the UGC.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 375
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Establishment of Foreign University Campuses in India
375. Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the number of foreign universities that have applied to establish campuses in India under
the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, State-wise, specifically in Andhra
Pradesh;
(b) the present status of these applications, including the number of institutions granted
approval and issued letters of intent, with particular reference to Andhra Pradesh;
(c) the proposed academic infrastructure and programmes to be offered by such foreign
universities in the country;
(d) the details of any Government funding provided to support the establishment of these
foreign campuses, State-wise, including funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh; and
(e) the oversight and monitoring mechanisms prescribed under the UGC guidelines for
regulating such foreign university campuses, including those proposed in Andhra Pradesh
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (e): A number of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) have expressed
interests to establish their branch campuses in India, under the University Grants Commission
(UGC) (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in
India) Regulations 2023.
UGC has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to FHEIs from Australia, Italy, the United
Kingdom, and the United States of America to establish campuses across India, including
Bengaluru (Karnataka), Delhi NCR, Mumbai (Maharashtra), and Chennai (Tamil
Nadu). The FHEIs proposing to open branch campuses in India have indicated to run
programmes in business, economics, accounting, finance, software engineering, data science,
artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game design, entrepreneurship, innovation, biomedical
sciences, among other emerging fields to meet global academic and industry demands.
UGC has instituted a single-window clearance mechanism and constituted a high-powered
Standing Committee to evaluate the proposals for establishment of FHEI campuses in India.The Committee examines the applications and makes recommendations to the Commission.
Based on these recommendations, UGC grants in-principle approval and issues a Letter of
Intent. Only FHEIs ranked within the top 500 globally ranked universities are eligible, and
applicants must submit the latest accreditation or quality assurance reports from recognized
bodies.
UGC regulatory framework is designed to ensure that the education imparted in India is of the
same standard as that offered at the parent campus abroad, while also ensuring compliance with
applicable laws and regulations in India. The qualifications awarded by FHEIs under the UGC
Regulations shall be recognized and treated as equivalent to any corresponding qualification
awarded by Indian Higher Educational Institutions, and no further equivalence from any
authority would be required.
Further, the government has also constituted a ‘Facilitation Committee for FHEIs’ on 16th
December 2025. The Committee is mandated to assist the FHEIs in establishment of their
campuses in India, after the hand-over of the LoI by UGC. The Committee also oversees and
monitors the academic/financial/governance etc. related aspects vis-à-vis the regulatory
mechanisms in India.
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