India’s higher education system is at a critical turning point. With 4.33 crore students enrolled in 2021–22, and a further 13.8% increase by 2024–25, the pressure on existing academic infrastructure has grown significantly. While demand continues to rise, the supply side remains limited. As of 2024, India has over 1,213 universities and around 58,643 higher education institutions, highlighting a clear mismatch between student aspirations and available capacity.

Recognising this gap, the Government of India has taken a policy-led approach to reform the sector. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 [IS1] marks a shift away from rigid, content-heavy models towards skill-based, multidisciplinary, and industry-aligned education. A key pillar of this reform is internationalisation. For the first time, India has created a structured framework that actively encourages foreign universities to establish branch campuses within the country.