NITI Aayog on Tuesday released a comprehensive policy report titled ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations’, outlining a strategic roadmap to position India as a global hub for higher education and research by 2047.
The report was launched by senior leadership of NITI Aayog, including Suman Bery, Vice Chairman; V. K. Paul, Member (Education); Arvind Virmani, Member; and B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO. The launch event was also attended by Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, and Sitharam, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Focus on ‘Internationalisation at Home’
The report is the outcome of a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog and an Indian Institute of Technology Madras–led consortium of knowledge partners, and is among the first such comprehensive studies from the Global South. Anchored in the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it places special emphasis on the concept of ‘internationalisation at home’, enabling global exposure for Indian students without necessarily requiring overseas mobility.
The study examines internationalisation strategies at global, national and institutional levels, while analysing trends in student and faculty mobility over the past two decades. It identifies opportunities to enhance academic exchanges, deepen international research collaboration, and explore the establishment of international branch campuses in India as well as overseas campuses of Indian universities.
Extensive Data-Driven Analysis
The report draws on extensive qualitative and quantitative research, including responses from 160 Indian higher education institutions across 24 states to a detailed survey with over 100 questions. It also incorporates insights from 140 national and international participants at a National Workshop organised at IIT Madras earlier this year, along with key informant interviews with experts from 30 international institutions across 16 countries, offering a strong global perspective.
Leadership Perspectives on Global Engagement
Speaking at the launch, Suman Bery said there is both a strong business and diplomatic case for promoting the internationalisation of higher education, particularly as an instrument of India’s soft power.
V. K. Paul placed the report within the broader framework of NEP implementation and India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, stating that India should aim to host one lakh international students across central and state universities by 2030.
Arvind Virmani observed that international students trained in India could contribute to global growth while strengthening India’s international influence, stressing the need to reinforce doctoral programmes through deeper global collaboration.
Highlighting the benefits of internationalisation for the world’s fourth-largest economy, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam said it would enhance curriculum quality, reduce foreign exchange outflows, and expand research partnerships. He emphasised the role of private universities, the potential of leveraging India’s 3.5-crore-strong diaspora, and the need for the government to act as a catalyst through simplified and enabling regulations.
Roadmap to 2047
Vineet Joshi noted that public and private universities must work together for India to emerge as a global education hub. He said NEP initiatives and UGC regulations have already helped attract nearly 13 international universities to India, and praised the report’s 76 action pathways as a robust roadmap to achieve internationalisation goals by 2047.
AICTE Chairman Prof. Sitharam underlined the need for India to become a talent magnet, particularly for students from the Global South, by offering high-quality programmes in engineering, technology and management.
The report presents 22 policy recommendations, 76 action pathways, and 125 performance success indicators, along with nearly 30 Indian and global best practices. These recommendations span five key thematic areas—Strategy, Regulation, Finance, Branding, Communication & Outreach, and Curriculum & Culture—aimed at transforming India into a leading global destination for higher education and research over the next two decades.