Lok Sabha Question No. 1428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Indian University Campuses in Abroad
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## 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 30 th 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  Higher

Educational  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.

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