UGC- University Grant Commission announced the much awaited notification for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions. The notifications aim FHEIs- Foreign Higher Educational to facilitate the world’s top 500 to set up branch campuses in India.

As per the UGC institution have to meets the eligibility criteria individually, each foreign university can set up more than one campus in India. However, they shall make a separate application for each proposed campus to the commission.

The notification said foreign universities cannot open learning centres, study centres, or franchises that may act as representative offices of the parent entity to undertake promotional activities for their programmes in their home jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction outside India. They are required to seek approval from the commission before starting any new programme on their campus in India.

Highlights of this notification

• Foreign university can set up more than one campus in India.
• No programmes can be offered online or in Open and Distance Learning modes
• However, lectures in online mode not exceeding 10% of the programme
• Foreign institutions need not pay any annual fees to the UGC other than the one-time application fees.
• Foreign institutions can give full or partial merit-based or need-based scholarships and fee concessions to Indian students.

This is in step with the National Education Policy, 2020, which envisages a legislative framework to allow top global universities to operate in India