India’s higher education landscape is set for a major international expansion, with 15 foreign universities receiving approval to establish campuses in the country under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) 2023 regulations.
The Ministry of Education announced that the institutions have been issued Letters of Intent (LoIs) under the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023. The initiative is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s broader vision of internationalising higher education and strengthening India’s position as a global academic destination.
According to the ministry, the move will enable Indian students to access globally recognised degree programmes and research opportunities without leaving the country.
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Push to bring global education closer to students
The Ministry of Education said the incoming campuses are expected to offer international curricula, advanced research opportunities and greater academic collaboration between Indian and global institutions.
The government believes the initiative will encourage knowledge exchange, improve competition within the higher education sector and create a more globally connected academic ecosystem.
UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023, deepens India’s global academic footprint and strengthens quality and competition in higher education.#12YearsOfGovernment#12YearsOfYuvaShakti pic.twitter.com/lRdrZqhizh
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2026
In a post on X, the ministry highlighted that the regulations have strengthened India’s global academic engagement while promoting quality education standards across institutions.
Lower costs, better access
One of the key advantages highlighted by the government is affordability. According to ministry estimates, students may save significantly on educational expenses, with fees at Indian campuses expected to be between 18 per cent and 74 per cent lower than studying at the same universities abroad.
The government also added that the foreign institutions are required to have student-teacher ratio of 12:1 to 25:1, giving more time for academic guidance and personalized instruction.
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According to officials, the program is aligned with the NEP 2020 and promotes innovation, research, international collaboration and increased educational opportunities for Indian students.
With 15 foreign universities officially approved, the program represents an important step forward in ensuring quality education for a bigger part of students and placing India among the emerging global education hubs.
FAQs
Q1. How many foreign universities have been approved to set up campuses in India?
So far, 15 foreign universities have been issued Letters of Intent based on UGC’s 2023 rules for setting up campuses in India.
Q2. What benefits do students get from foreign university campuses in India?
Students will be able to obtain high-quality international education, follow international curriculums and participate in research programs for much lower costs than at the same institutions abroad.