In a historic move aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved five top global universities to establish their fully autonomous campuses in India under the 2023 UGC guidelines. These campuses are expected to become operational between 2026 and 2027.
List of Approved Foreign Universities & Their Key Details
| University | Country | Expected Launch | QS World Ranking (2025) | Notable Areas |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | USA | 2026–27 | 601–610 | Engineering, Science, Tech |
| University of Liverpool | UK | 2026–27 | 165 | Law, Business, Health Sciences |
| Victoria University | Australia | 2026–27 | 741–750 | Business, IT, Hospitality |
| Western Sydney University (WSU) | Australia | 2026–27 | 384 | Technology, Research |
| Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) | Italy | 2026–27 | Top 200 (Art & Design) | Fashion, Design, Visual Arts |
Existing Operational Foreign Campuses in India
- Deakin University (Australia)- GIFT City, Gujarat
- University of Wollongong (Australia)- GIFT City, Gujarat
- University of Southampton (UK)- Gurugram, Haryana (Opening in August 2025; 1st to receive UGC approval)
Key Provisions of UGC Guidelines (2023)
- Only Top 500 Global Universities are eligible
- Full autonomy in:
- Curriculum design
- Admissions criteria
- Fee structure
- Permission to award globally recognized degrees from Indian campuses
- Objective: To internationalize Indian education and provide affordable access to world-class institutions
Strategic Significance
- Enhances India’s education infrastructure and global competitiveness
- Reduces outflow of Indian students seeking education abroad
- Supports NEP 2020’s vision to make India a global education hub
- Boosts student access to international curricula without high foreign living costs
Background Context
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisioned the entry of top global universities into India.
- In 2023, the UGC notified enabling regulations allowing foreign universities to set up physical campuses in India.
- The move reflects India’s rising academic and regulatory openness in higher education.