Lok Sabha Question No. 315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Scheme to make India a Global Hub for Education
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 315 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Scheme to make India a Global Hub for Education

†315. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to make India a global hub for education, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether foreign institutions are being allowed to open campuses in India under the said scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of such campuses of foreign institutions proposed to be opened in the National Capital Territory of Delhi along with the National Capital Region;
- (d) the number of such campuses likely to become operational by the academic session of 2026-27; and
- (e) the details of subjects likely to be taught at the said campuses along with their proposed structure?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

- (a)  to  (e) : As per  the  provisions  of  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020,  India  is  to  be promoted as a global study destination providing premium education at affordable costs. In line with the vision of NEP 2020, two enabling regulations have been issued by the Government:
- University Grants Commission (UGC) (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023, and
- International  Financial  Services  Centres  Authority  (IFSCA)  (Setting  up  and Operation  of  International  Branch  Campuses  and  Offshore  Education  Centres) Regulations, 2022.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to  Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) from Australia, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United  States of  America to  establish  campuses  across  India,  including Bengaluru (Karnataka), Delhi NCR,  Mumbai  (Maharashtra), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). University of Southampton (UK), Gurugram (Haryana) campus commenced operations in August 2025 with courses such as BSc Computer Science, BSc Business Management, BSc Accounting  and  Finance,  BSc  Economics,  MSc  Finance  and  MSc  International Management.

Under the IFSCA Regulations, 2022 , approvals have been granted to five universities from Australia and the UK to establish offshore branch campuses in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Of these, Deakin University (Australia) commenced courses in July 2024 , while the University of Wollongong (Australia) began operations in November 2024. Government of India has also undertaken several other initiatives to attract global students to study in India, and also to ensure availability of high-quality education in the 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 (Sll) 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.
- UGC has issued Regulations in 2022 to enable Indian Institutions to collaborate with Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes.
- 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.
- UGC has promulgated regulatory architecture/framework for institutions notified as Institutions  of  Eminence  (IoE)  in  the  form  of  Guidelines  for  public  institutions  and regulations for private institutions. The framework provides for autonomy in key areas such as academic freedom, recruitment, fee structure, collaborations etc.

*****