UGC Announces Regulations To Look Over Establishment And Operations of Foreign University Campuses In India

The UGC’s regulations on setting up and operations of foreign university campuses in India will be applicable to foreign universities trying to set up campuses in India.

UGC Releases Regulations For Setting Up And Operating Foreign University Campuses In India (Representational Image)

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the regulations to govern the establishment and functioning of foreign university campuses in India. The UGC released the regulation in a Gazetted Notification, and shared the same on X (formerly Twitter) today, while announcing the new regulations. These regulations shall apply to higher-ranked foreign universities applying to set up campuses in India. 

Foreign institutions trying to set up campuses in India shall seek approval under these regulations to conduct certificate, diploma, degree, research and other programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral levels. Notably, earlier this year, the UGC also released the draft regulations for the setting up and operations of foreign universities in India, and invited suggestions and feedback on the same. 

Some of the key provisions listed under the new UGC’s Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India include:

 

• Foreign universities intending to establish campuses in India should have secured  a position within the top 500 ranks, in global rankings. 

 

• Foreign universities can set up more than one campus in India, will be required to make separate applications for each new campus. 
• Campuses of foreign universities in India shall have the autonomy to recruit faculty and staff as per their recruitment norms. 
• Foreign university campuses in India cannot offer online courses or distance learning.
• Foreign universities can collaborate to set up campuses in India, provided they meet eligibility criteria individually.
• Foreign universities setting up campuses in India will be required to seek prior approval from UGC before starting new courses.
• Foreign universities cannot open learning centres, study centres or franchises of parent entity in India.
• Foreign university campuses in India receiving, utilising foreign contributions will have to obtain prior permission under FCRA.