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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM56390
Volume:
10 |
2 |
Feb 2026
Pages:
1-6
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Commerce
Govt. First Grade College, Kunigal-572130
The internationalization of India’s higher education system has accelerated profoundly following the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and subsequent regulatory frameworks established between 2022 and 2023. By permitting globally ranked foreign higher educational institutions (HEIs) to establish branch campuses within its borders, India aims to democratize access to world-class education, curb substantial human capital flight, and stimulate systemic domestic reforms through heightened competition. India boasts the third-largest higher education system globally; however, it remains constrained by a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) that lags behind other G20 nations [cite: 1.1.1]. As of mid-2026, institutions such as Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, and the University of Southampton have successfully commenced academic operations. This comprehensive paper examines the dual regulatory frameworks—the IFSCA guidelines for GIFT City and the UGC Mainland regulations—facilitating this historic transition. It extensively analyzes the multidimensional structural impacts on domestic universities, focusing on pedagogical competition, economic retention, faculty market disruption, and programmatic specialization. Furthermore, it addresses the persistent challenges of socio-economic accessibility, cultural preservation in pedagogy, and the absence of overseas post-study work benefits, concluding with strategic recommendations for inclusive capacity building.
KEYWORDS
The initial operational years (2024–2026) of foreign university campuses in India indicate a highly successful proof of concept for the NEP 2020’s inward-looking internationalization agenda. By democratizing access to global education for the upper-middle class, retaining critical domestic capital that would otherwise fuel the 760,000-strong outbound student diaspora, and establishing rigorous, industry-aligned pedagogical benchmarks, these branch campuses are acting as a powerful catalyst for systemic change [cite: 1.1.1]. While they do not directly resolve the massive massification and equity challenges facing the bottom of India's educational pyramid, their presence is forcing the broader Indian higher education ecosystem to elevate its standards and rethink archaic assessment and recruitment methodologies. As this landscape matures, the ultimate success of this policy will depend on fostering deep, collaborative integration between these global entrants and the vast domestic university network, ensuring that the pursuit of global excellence does not come at the cost of local equity and socio-cultural relevance.
· Aarhat Publication (2025). ERJEducreator Research Journal. [cite: 1.1.2] · Ahlawat & Associates (2023). Analysis of UGC Regulations Pertaining to Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India. [cite: 1.2.2] · ClearIAS (2025). Foreign Universities in India: Impact on Higher Education. [cite: 1.2.1] · Internationalizing Indian Higher Education: The Role of Foreign Universities. (2024). Vol 4, Issue 1. [cite: 1.1.1] · PR Newswire (2026, July 9). Deakin University GIFT City Campus Welcomes Third Cohort, Reinforcing the Promise of India's International Education Vision. [cite: 1.3.1] · Studies Overseas (2026). Deakin University, GIFT City Campus. [cite: 1.3.2] · Government of India, Ministry of Education. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. New Delhi. · University Grants Commission (UGC). (2023). Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations, 2023. · International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). (2022). Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres Regulations. · Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J. (2007). The Internationalization of Higher Education: Motivations and Realities. Journal of Studies in International Education. · Sharma, R. (2026). The Economic Impact of Transnational Education in India: 2024-2026. Journal of Asian Public Policy.
Publication Date
2/25/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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