The Government has prepared the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Establishment and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Educational Institutions) Rules, 2013. Under the proposed Rules, Foreign Educational Institutions (FEIs) can set up campuses in India once the FEIs have been notified as Foreign Education Provider (FEPs) by the UGC, subject to fulfillment of certain eligibility conditions.

The Rules would ensure that only high quality foreign educational institutions are permitted to set up campuses and offer education services in the country, since only the top 400 institutions as per global rankings would be eligible to open campuses in the country. Existence of high quality FEIs would contribute to enhancing existing capacity of higher education system; arresting the brain drain and drain of resources from the country; availability of education and research facilities of international standards; quality gains in Indian higher educational institutions through collaborations and partnerships etc. This would also facilitate higher investments in the higher education system including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the higher education system. Indian students would be benefitted with the entry and operation of FEP through access to globally renowned and quality academic institutions in Indian higher education sector at relatively lower costs. These FEPs would also add to the existing capacity in higher education in India.

The Ministry had sought comments and observations of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) on the Rules. Both DIPP and DEA have supported the proposal.

The HRD Minister, Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju gave this information in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Source: Press Information Bureau