UGC unveils draft norms to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India

Source: The post is based on the article “UGC unveils draft norms to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India” published in The Hindu on 6th January 2023

What is the News?

University Grants Commission has announced draft regulations for foreign universities setting up campuses in India.

What are the key provisions of draft regulations for foreign universities setting up campuses in India?

Eligibility: A foreign university with a rank among the top 500 global rankings or a foreign educational institution of repute in its home jurisdiction can apply to the UGC to set up a campus in India.

Application process: The application process will be web-based, with the UGC going to maintain a separate portal for receiving proposals to set up campuses.

– The application will be considered by a standing committee appointed by the UGC which will submit its recommendations within 45 days after examining the institution’s credibility, programmes offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India and proposed academic infrastructure.

– Subsequently, within 45 days, the UGC may grant in-principle approval to the foreign institution to set up campuses in India within two years. The initial approval will be for 10 years which can be extended.

Admission procedure: Foreign universities setting up campuses in India can evolve their own admission process and criteria to admit domestic and foreign students. 

Fee structure: The campuses will have the autonomy to decide their fee structure, and will face no caps that are imposed on Indian institutions. But the fee should be reasonable and transparent. It will also have the autonomy to recruit faculty and staff from India and abroad. 

Mode of teaching: The courses to be offered cannot be online and open and distance learning mode. The qualifications awarded to the students on the Indian campus should have equivalence with those awarded by the institutions in their country of origin.

Cross-border movement of funds: Foreign higher education institutions will also be allowed cross-border movement of funds and maintenance of foreign currency accounts, mode of payments, remittance, repatriation, and sale of proceeds, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA),1999 and its Rules and an audit report will have to be submitted to the UGC.