19 Foreign Universities to Establish Campuses in India This Academic Year

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that around 19 foreign universities are set to establish campuses in India by the current academic year.

Speaking at the Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, he highlighted that the move reflects India's growing global education footprint and the impact of reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP). The initiative aims to enhance international collaboration, research partnerships, and academic mobility while strengthening India's higher education ecosystem.

Education Minister Announces Entry of 19 Foreign Universities into India

In a major boost to the internationalisation of India's higher education sector, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that approximately 19 foreign universities are preparing to establish campuses in India within the current academic year. The announcement was made during his address at the Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026 held in New Delhi.

The development marks a significant step toward positioning India as a global education hub. Under the reforms introduced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India has opened its doors to reputed foreign institutions, encouraging them to set up independent campuses in the country. The objective is to provide Indian students access to global-quality education domestically while also attracting international students to study in India.

Mr Pradhan emphasised that Indian institutions are increasingly collaborating with global universities and research centres in critical and emerging sectors. These include semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, critical minerals, agriculture, and sustainable management. Such partnerships are expected to strengthen research ecosystems, promote knowledge exchange, and accelerate innovation in priority areas aligned with India's economic and technological goals.

The establishment of foreign university campuses is likely to expand academic choices for students, introduce diverse pedagogical practices, and enhance global exposure without requiring students to travel abroad. It may also help reduce the outflow of Indian students seeking overseas education, thereby retaining talent and financial resources within the country.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted the importance of academic diplomacy, noting that education serves as a powerful bridge between nations. Platforms like the Study in India initiative aim to foster cross-border academic partnerships, faculty exchanges, joint research programs, and student mobility arrangements.

Experts believe that the entry of foreign universities will increase healthy competition, raise academic standards, and encourage Indian institutions to innovate in curriculum design, research funding, and industry collaboration. However, maintaining regulatory clarity, quality assurance, and affordability will remain key to ensuring long-term success.

With this initiative, India is taking decisive steps toward transforming its higher education landscape into a globally integrated and future-ready system.