Amidst tightened foreign admissions and visa restrictions, India is gaining prominence as a global center for education.
India is transforming into a beacon for international students, thanks to a series of key initiatives and policies. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, new visa regimes, and the welcome of top-ranked foreign universities to set up campuses in India are driving this change.
The NEP 2020 is serving as a foundation for opening pathways for joint degrees, credit transfers, and cross-border collaborations within India. This policy mandates internationalization of higher education by allowing top foreign universities to establish fully functioning branch campuses, not just partnerships or twinning programs. It promotes interdisciplinary programs, offering global quality education domestically [1][2][3][5].
New visa categories, such as e-Student and e-Student-X visas, have simplified and eased the process for international students to access Indian institutions, reducing visa-related barriers that often deter students from studying abroad [1].
Initiatives like Study in India, ICCR scholarships, and GIAN promote India as a destination not only offering quality education but also inclusivity for students from economically or politically unstable regions [1]. Following the 2022 policy change, several international universities, including the University of Southampton (UK), Western Sydney University, University of Wollongong Australia, and others, have opened or plan to open campuses in India [2][3].
Indian institutions are increasingly offering curricula benchmarked to global standards and are responding to the high demand for business, management, and interdisciplinary courses, attracting both domestic and international students [1][3][5]. Many Indian universities now hold Institution of Eminence (IoE) status, which includes structured partnerships with foreign universities [4].
SRMIST Trichy, for instance, has signed MoUs with Officers Training Academy (OTA), ICAR-NRCB, and L&T EduTech for joint research, faculty exchange, and advanced skill development. Mahindra University has already partnered with prestigious institutions such as Virginia Tech, CentraleSupelec, and Babson College [6].
Experts suggest that to continue this trend, India will need continuous structural reform in the education sector. ICRA predicts that India's higher education institutions will record a revenue growth of 9-11 per cent in FY2026, driven by expanding seat capacities, rising enrolments, and the introduction of new courses [7].
Amruta Ruikar, Head of International Admissions and Promotions at Symbiosis International University, stated that India is reimagining its role in the global academic community. Top officials of educational institutions, including Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, and Dr Kannan, Director of SRM Group of Institutions, echo this sentiment, emphasizing the growing scope for Indian universities to lead global academic innovation [8].
Sustained public and private investments are being emphasized for digital learning, research, and student life at SRMIST Trichy. Initiatives like the Study in India portal and financial aid for foreign students have simplified access while setting the tone for a more integrated and inclusive system [9].
In conclusion, India is becoming an attractive global education hub for international students, driven by improved accessibility, quality of education, global collaborations, and expanding academic choices [1][2][3][5]. As the higher education sector grows, India is on track to compete with the world's best, nurturing interdisciplinary thinking, global partnerships, and cultural agility [10].
References: [1] https://www.indiaeducationdiary.in/news/india-becoming-attractive-global-education-hub-for-international-students/ [2] https://www.thehindu.com/education/higher-education/foreign-universities-to-set-up-campuses-in-india/article39572625.ece [3] https://www.indiaeducationdiary.in/news/india-is-becoming-a-preferred-destination-for-international-students/ [4] https://www.thehindu.com/education/higher-education/ioe-status-for-universities-a-game-changer-for-higher-education-in-india/article37383038.ece [5] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-is-becoming-an-attractive-destination-for-international-students-11663099917402.html [6] https://www.mahindrauniversity.edu.in/about/partnerships [7] https://www.icra.in/content/higher-education-institutions-to-record-a-revenue-growth-of-9-11-per-cent-in-fy2026-driven-by-expanding-seat-capacities-rising-enrolments-and-the-introduction-of-new-courses-6717 [8] https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/india-is-becoming-a-global-education-hub-says-top-officials-of-educational-institutions/story-GtUeYcZ3U6e41Z08oAu0LN.html [9] https://www.indiaeducationdiary.in/news/india-is-becoming-a-preferred-destination-for-international-students/ [10] https://www.thehindu.com/education/higher-education/india-is-becoming-a-global-education-hub-says-top-officials-of-educational-institutions/article38716050.ece
- The National Education Policy 2020 is fostering education-and-self-development by advocating global quality learning opportunities, such as joint degrees, credit transfers, and cross-border collaborations in India.
- Business students can benefit from India's growing appeal as an international education hub, as Indian institutions are increasingly offering management courses benchmarked to global standards.
- Opinion: Asia's research universities, like the University of Southampton and Western Sydney University, have recognized the potential for growth in India's education sector, setting up campuses to offer a diverse range of programs, not just in business, but also in education, making India a leading choice for quality learning and cultural exposure.
