Parliament Question: Indian University Campuses in Abroad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1428 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 Indian University Campuses in Abroad 1428. Shri Rao Rajendra Singh: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any data regarding the foreign university campuses that have been established in India during the last five years and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has any data on Indian University campuses established abroad during the last five years, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps for the internationalisation of higher education during the last five years and if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (d): The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) was framed and approved by the Government of India to transform and improve the quality of education in the country. As per the provisions of the NEP 2020, India is to be promoted as a global study destination providing premium education at affordable costs thereby helping to restore its role as a Vishwa Guru. In alignment with the vision of NEP 2020, University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued “UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023” to facilitate the establishment of branch campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India. UGC has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to 13 FHEIs from Australia, Italy, United Kingdom and USA to set up their campuses at various places in India including Bengaluru (Karnataka), Delhi NCR, Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). Among these, University of Southampton, UK commenced its courses in August 2025 at its campus in Gurugram, Haryana. “International Financial Services Centres Authority (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022” have been issued to facilitate the establishment of campuses of world-class foreign universities in GIFT City, Gujarat. Under IFSCA Regulations 2022, approvals have been accorded to 5 universities from Australia and UK for operating offshore branch campuses in GIFT City,Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Among these 5 universities, Deakin University, Australia commenced its courses in July, 2024, and University of Wollongong, Australia commenced its courses in November, 2024. In order to promote Indian education abroad, the following offshore campuses have been established so far: i. IIT Madras at Zanzibar, Tanzania. ii. IIT Delhi at Abu Dhabi, UAE. iii. IIM Ahmedabad at Dubai, UAE Further, in the last five years, the following Universities/Institutions deemed to be Universities have been given NoC/Permission to start their off-shore campus: i. Symbiosis International (deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra - Off-Shore Campus in Dubai, UAE (2023) ii. Jaipur National University (State Private University), Jaipur, Rajasthan- Off-Shore Campus in Ras Al Khainah, UAE (2024) iii. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (deemed to be University), New Delhi- Off-Shore Campus at Expo City, Dubai, UAE (2025) Government of India has undertaken several other initiatives for internationalization of higher education domain through infrastructure upgradation of the institutions, accreditation of institutions and courses, promotion of research & innovation and augmenting the digital initiatives. Some of the initiatives are: • ‘Study in India’ program is a flagship initiative to promote Indian education and making India as a preferred destination, with the overall objective to increase the number of international students coming to study in India. Study in India (SII) portal https://studyinindia.gov.in has been launched on 3rd August. 2023, as a dedicated website that showcases the best of Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and is a one stop solution for admission and visa applications for foreign students who wish to pursue their higher education in Indian HEIs. The portal provides a structured mechanism to facilitate foreign students to meet their Visa obligations. Regular outreach programs, webinars and education fairs are organized under the ‘Study in India’ programme to connect with potential students from various countries. • ‘Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration’ (SPARC) to encourage research collaboration between top Indian Institutes with the premier foreign institutes. • ‘Global Initiative of Academic Networks’ (GIAN) in Higher Education was launched on 30th November, 2015. The programme seeks to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the world, to teach in the higher educational institutions in India. • “University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2022” was issued to enable Indian HigherEducational Institutions to collaborate with Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes. • UGC has also issued Guidelines for (i) Admission and Supernumerary seats of International Students in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes in Higher Educational Institutions in India and (ii) establishment of ‘Office for International Students’ in all HEIs. • In addition to the above, programs are also being launched at institutional level by FHEIs for facilitating student and faculty mobility, establishing international partnerships for research, easing the processes for enrolment of foreign students in Indian institutions etc. *****