In a major boost to the internationalisation of higher education, the University Grants Commission has granted 16 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to 15 Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs), enabling them to establish campuses in India under the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

The announcement was made by Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government's efforts to provide Indian students with access to globally recognised education without requiring them to study abroad.

Campuses Planned Across Five Major Cities

According to the Ministry of Education, the approved foreign universities plan to establish campuses in:

• Bengaluru
• Greater Noida
• Gurugram
• Mumbai
• Chennai

These campuses are expected to offer students the opportunity to earn internationally recognised degrees while studying in India, reducing the financial and logistical barriers associated with overseas education.

Courses in Emerging and High-Demand Fields

The proposed campuses intend to offer programmes across several future-focused disciplines, including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Data Science
• Cybersecurity
• Software Engineering
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Accounting
• Finance
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation
• Game Design
• Biomedical Sciences

The programmes have been designed to align with evolving global academic standards and the growing demand for skilled professionals in technology, business, healthcare, and innovation-driven industries.

Strict Regulatory Framework

All foreign university campuses will operate under the UGC Regulations, 2023, which establish quality benchmarks for international institutions entering the Indian higher education ecosystem.

The regulations require that:

• The quality of education offered in India must be equivalent to that provided at the parent university abroad.
• Institutions comply with all applicable Indian laws and regulatory requirements.
• Academic, administrative, and governance standards remain consistent with international best practices.

Only Top-Ranked Universities Eligible

To ensure quality, only foreign universities ranked among the world's top 500 institutions are eligible to establish campuses in India under the UGC framework.

Applicants are also required to submit:

• Latest accreditation reports.
• Quality assurance certifications from recognised international bodies.

Each proposal is examined by a high-powered Standing Committee, which evaluates applications before recommending them to the UGC for in-principle approval through the issuance of a Letter of Intent (LoI).

Single-Window Clearance System

To simplify the approval process, the UGC has introduced a single-window clearance mechanism for foreign higher education institutions.

In addition, the Government constituted a Facilitation Committee for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions on December 16, 2025, to assist approved universities after the issuance of the LoI.

The committee supports institutions in matters relating to:

• Campus establishment.
• Academic planning.
• Financial management.
• Governance and regulatory compliance.

Degrees to Be Recognised in India

One of the most significant features of the new framework is that degrees awarded by these foreign university campuses in India will be treated as equivalent to corresponding qualifications awarded by Indian higher education institutions.

This means graduates will not be required to obtain a separate equivalence certificate from any authority for recognition of their qualifications, making it easier to pursue higher studies, competitive examinations, or employment opportunities within India.

Advancing Internationalisation of Indian Higher Education

The approval of 15 foreign universities marks another step towards implementing the internationalisation goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By enabling globally reputed universities to operate in India, the initiative seeks to expand access to world-class education, promote academic collaboration, strengthen research partnerships, and provide Indian students with internationally recognised qualifications at a significantly lower cost than studying overseas.

The move is also expected to enhance India's position as a global education destination while creating new opportunities for students in emerging fields such as AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, business, entrepreneurship, and biomedical sciences.