Foreign universities will need UGC's nod to set up campuses in India: UGC Chairman

Foreign universities setting up campuses in India will need to get an initial nod for 10 years from the University Grants Commission (UGC). Releasing detailed guidelines, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said the universities have to fulfill all prescribed requirements to be able to secure approval.

Kumar said along with Indian students, foreign students will also be able to study on those campuses. He clarified that universities can opt for their own admission processes.

He said only institutions among the world’s top 500 universities will be allowed to open campuses here. “As they will conduct regular courses, their faculty will also be regular. Teachers will not be able to leave in the middle of a semester. Apart from this, the



state and UGC guidelines will have to be followed regarding women's safety and ragging on campus. They have to implement Indian laws only,” he said.

The UGC chief reiterated that the top foreign universities that will provide education in India, have to ensure that the quality of their education remains the same as that of their main campus.

Prof Jagdish Kumar said after the opening of campuses of foreign universities in India, the nature of higher education will change.

"Students will benefit from this. The draft guidelines prepared for the opening of foreign university campuses will be uploaded to the UGC website at 1 pm on January 5," he said, adding that the move will boost the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP).