UGC grants 16 LoIs to 15 foreign universities to open India campuses
Synopsis
India has cleared 15 foreign universities from four countries to open branch campuses in five major cities — a structural shift in higher education access. With degree equivalence guaranteed and a dedicated facilitation committee in place, the UGC's move could reshape where Indian students study without leaving the country.
Key Takeaways
The UGC has issued 16 Letters of Intent to 15 Foreign Higher Educational Institutions from Australia , Italy , the US , and the UK .
Approved campus locations include Bengaluru , Greater Noida , Gurugram , Mumbai , and Chennai .
Only institutions ranked in the top 500 globally are eligible under the UGC Regulations 2023 .
Degrees awarded by these campuses will be recognised as equivalent to Indian university qualifications — no separate equivalence needed.
A Facilitation Committee for FHEIs was constituted on 16 December 2025 to oversee campus establishment and compliance.
MoS Sukanta Majumdar disclosed the details in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 3 August .
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued 16 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to 15 Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) from Australia, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom to establish branch campuses across Indian cities. The Lok Sabha was informed of this on Monday, 3 August, through a written reply by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar.
Cities and Fields of Study
The approved campuses are set to come up in Bengaluru, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Chennai. The institutions have indicated plans to offer programmes spanning business, economics, accounting, finance, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game design, entrepreneurship, innovation, and biomedical sciences, among other emerging disciplines aligned with global academic and industry demands.
Regulatory Framework and Eligibility
The campuses will be governed under the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023. Only institutions ranked within the top 500 globally are eligible to apply, and applicants must submit the latest accreditation or quality assurance reports from recognised bodies. Majumdar stated that the UGC regulatory framework is designed to ensure that education imparted in India meets the same standard as that offered at the parent campus abroad, while remaining compliant with Indian laws.
Single-Window Clearance and Standing Committee
The UGC has instituted a single-window clearance mechanism and constituted a high-powered Standing Committee to evaluate proposals. The Committee examines applications and makes recommendations to the Commission, based on which the UGC grants in-principle approval and issues a Letter of Intent. This streamlined process signals a deliberate push to reduce bureaucratic friction for incoming institutions.
Degree Equivalence and Facilitation Committee
Qualifications awarded by FHEIs under the UGC Regulations will be recognised as equivalent to those conferred by Indian Higher Educational Institutions, with no further equivalence certification required from any authority. Additionally, the government constituted a Facilitation Committee for FHEIs on 16 December 2025, mandated to assist foreign institutions in establishing their campuses after the LoI is handed over, and to oversee academic, financial, and governance compliance.
What Comes Next
With LoIs now issued, the focus shifts to the Facilitation Committee's role in converting approvals into operational campuses. The pace at which these institutions move from intent to enrolment will be the real measure of India's readiness to integrate foreign universities into its higher education ecosystem.
Point of View
But the real test is whether the Facilitation Committee can resolve land acquisition, visa, and remittance hurdles that have historically deterred foreign institutions. Degree equivalence without re-verification is a meaningful concession, yet without transparent fee regulation, these campuses risk serving only the affluent segment that could already study abroad. The Centre's ambition is clear; the execution architecture is still being built.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foreign universities have received UGC Letters of Intent to open campuses in India?
The UGC has issued 16 Letters of Intent to 15 Foreign Higher Educational Institutions from Australia, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The specific names of the institutions were not disclosed in the government's Lok Sabha reply.
In which Indian cities will these foreign university campuses be set up?
The approved campuses are planned for Bengaluru, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Chennai, covering major metropolitan and educational hubs across India.
What courses will these foreign university campuses offer in India?
The institutions have indicated plans to run programmes in business, economics, accounting, finance, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game design, entrepreneurship, innovation, and biomedical sciences, among other fields.
Will degrees from foreign university campuses in India be recognised?
Yes. Under the UGC Regulations 2023, qualifications awarded by these campuses will be treated as equivalent to those from Indian Higher Educational Institutions, and no additional equivalence certification from any authority will be required.
What is the eligibility criteria for a foreign university to open a campus in India?
Only institutions ranked within the top 500 globally are eligible. Applicants must also submit the latest accreditation or quality assurance reports from recognised bodies, and proposals are evaluated by a high-powered UGC Standing Committee before a Letter of Intent is issued.
