NITI Aayog on Internationalisation of Higher Education
Why in news
NITI Aayog released a report titled
“Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations”.Aim: Globalise Indian higher education and correct the inbound–outbound student imbalance.
Key data and problem identified
Student mobility imbalance (2024):
For every 1 international student studying in India,
28 Indian students went abroad for higher education.
Current status:
India hosted ~47,000 international students (2022).
Projection:
By 2047, India could host 7.89–11 lakh international students.
Major policy recommendations (22 interventions)
A. Funding and research
Bharat Vidya Kosh
Proposed as a national research sovereign wealth fund.
Corpus: $10 billion
50% from diaspora and philanthropy
50% matched by the Central government
Objective:
Boost global research capacity
Improve India’s attractiveness as a research hub
B. Scholarships and fellowships
Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship
To attract foreign students to Indian institutions.
Vishwa Bandhu Fellowship
To attract foreign faculty and research talent.
Goal:
Improve academic diversity
Strengthen global faculty networks
C. Academic and institutional reforms
Introduction of an Erasmus+-like exchange programme for India.
Updated and globally aligned curricula.
Expansion of NIRF ranking criteria to include internationalisation parameters.
Emphasis on:
Research collaboration
Global employability
Cross-border mobility
D. Regulation and governance
Easing regulatory frameworks to:
Enable more international campuses in India
Facilitate collaboration with foreign universities
Linked to recent legislation:
Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025
Proposes a Standards Council (Manak Parishad)
Mandated to design non-binding frameworks for internationalisation
Strategic objectives
Position India as a global destination for higher education and research.
Shift from being primarily a source country to a host country.
Align higher education reforms with:
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Viksit Bharat @2047 vision
Areas covered by recommendations
Strategy
Regulation
Branding and communication
Global outreach
Curriculum reform
Academic culture
Significance for India
Reduces brain drain.
Enhances soft power and knowledge diplomacy.
Strengthens research ecosystem and innovation capacity.
Improves India’s global university rankings.
Supports transition to a knowledge-driven economy.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the report on “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India”, consider the following statements:
The report was released by NITI Aayog.
It highlights a significant imbalance between inbound and outbound student mobility.
It states that India currently hosts more international students than it sends abroad.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
India sends far more students abroad than it hosts; statement 3 is incorrect.
Q. According to the NITI Aayog study, in 2024, what was the ratio of international students coming to India to Indian students going abroad?
(a) 1 : 5
(b) 1 : 10
(c) 1 : 28
(d) 1 : 50
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
For every one international student in India, 28 Indians went abroad.
Q. With reference to the proposed Bharat Vidya Kosh, consider the following statements:
It is envisaged as a national research sovereign wealth fund.
The proposed corpus size is $10 billion.
The entire corpus is to be funded only by the Central government.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
50% funding is proposed from diaspora and philanthropy, not only the government.