The University Grants Commission (UGC) on November 08, 2023, issued the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.
These regulations shall apply to the campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions seeking approval under these regulations to conduct certificate, diploma, degree, research, and other programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels.
The following provisions have been stated:
• Eligibility:
(1) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution intending to establish campuses in India shall fulfill any of the following criteria at the time of application:
(a) It has been stated that it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the overall category of global rankings at the time of application, as decided by the Commission from time to time; or
(b) It has been stated that it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the subject-wise category of global rankings at the time of application or should possess outstanding expertise in a particular area, as decided by the Commission from time to time.
(2) In the case of two or more two Foreign Higher Educational Institutions intending to collaborate to establish campuses in India, each Foreign Higher Educational Institution should meet the eligibility criteria.
• Admission and fee structure:
(1) The campus of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions may evolve its admission process and criteria to admit domestic and international students.
(2) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall decide the fee structure, which shall be transparent and reasonable.
(3) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall make available the prospectus on its website at least sixty days before the commencement of admissions, including fee structure, refund policy, number of seats in a programme, eligibility qualifications, and admission process.
(4) Based on an evaluation process, the Foreign Higher Educational Institution may provide full or partial merit-based or need-based scholarships from funds such as endowment funds, alumni donations, tuition revenues, and other sources.
(5) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution may give tuition fee concessions to students who are Indian citizens.
This notification will come into force from November 08, 2023.
[Notification No 1-1/2023(IC-FHEI)]
