In a significant step toward strengthening India’s global academic footprint, the NITI Aayog on Monday launched a policy report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations.” The report provides a detailed roadmap to make India a leading global hub for education and research by the year 2047, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The report was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, accompanied by Members V.K. Paul and Arvind Virmani, and CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, in the presence of Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and AICTE Chairman T.G. Sitharam. It was prepared in collaboration with an IIT Madras-led consortium, bringing together academic and policy expertise from across India and abroad.
The document emphasises the idea of “internationalisation at home”. It ensures global exposure for Indian students within domestic campuses through foreign collaborations, student exchanges, and globally benchmarked curricula. This approach seeks to balance the inflow and outflow of students, improve academic standards, and position India as a preferred destination for international learners.
According to NITI Aayog, internationalisation is not merely about cross-border education but also about building academic diplomacy, enhancing soft power, and strengthening India’s influence in global education networks.
The report draws insights from a nationwide survey of 160 higher education institutions across 24 states, feedback from 140 national and international stakeholders during a workshop at IIT Madras, and interviews with experts representing 30 institutions across 16 countries. This comprehensive study provides data-driven analysis on trends in student mobility, institutional collaboration, and the scope for establishing international campuses.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman Suman Bery stated that internationalisation serves both economic and diplomatic goals, calling it a crucial element of India’s soft power strategy.
Member V.K. Paul linked the initiative to the NEP 2020 and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, proposing that India should aim to host at least one lakh international students in central and state universities by 2030.
Arvind Virmani highlighted the long-term economic and academic advantages of attracting international students, while B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said such collaborations could improve academic quality, reduce foreign exchange outflows, and strengthen global research partnerships. He also pointed to the vital role of private universities and the Indian diaspora in this transformation.
22 Policy Recommendations and 76 Action Pathways
The report outlines 22 policy recommendations, supported by 76 action pathways and 125 performance indicators, across five thematic areas – strategy, regulation, finance, branding and outreach, and curriculum and culture. These recommendations provide a clear direction for accelerating India’s transition into an international education hub.
Some of the notable proposals include:
- Launching Vishwa Bandhu Scholarships and Fellowships to attract foreign students and faculty
- Establishing an Erasmus+-like programme to promote international student and faculty exchanges
- Creating a $10 billion National Research Fund to support joint research with global partners
- Encouraging the “campus within campus” model to facilitate foreign universities setting up operations in India
- Expanding the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) to include parameters reflecting internationalisation efforts
- Simplifying regulatory frameworks under UGC and AICTE to ease establishment of foreign campuses in India
A major focus of the report is addressing the imbalance between inbound and outbound student mobility. Currently, India sends far more students abroad than it hosts from other countries. To correct this, the report suggests targeted scholarships, international fellowships, and partnerships that can make Indian universities globally competitive. The plan also envisions enhancing doctoral programmes through global tie-ups and expanding research funding to position Indian institutions as destinations for high-quality research.
By 2047, NITI Aayog envisions India as a global education leader contributing not just skilled graduates but also original research and innovation. If implemented effectively, these measures could make India an education hub on par with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia but with a unique South Asian identity grounded in inclusivity and cultural diversity.
