UGC Releases Guidelines for Admission of International Students in Indian Universities

In a bid to enhance the global appeal of Indian higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice instructing Vice-Chancellors, Directors, and Principals of all universities and colleges to allocate supernumerary seats for international students in undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Alignment with NEP 2020:
This initiative is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which underscores the need to internationalize higher education for global relevance. Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) are recognizing the potential to attract international students, academics, and funding, and are thus committed to expanding their global outreach efforts.

Key Guidelines:

• HEIs can create up to 25% supernumerary seats for international students, in addition to their regular enrollment quota.
• This move aims to streamline the admission process for international students and foster an environment conducive to attracting them to Indian HEIs.

Implementation Urgency:
The UGC's directive emphasizes the importance of earnestly implementing these guidelines to embrace internationalization in both letter and spirit. Originally circulated in September 2022, the guidelines outline the framework for admission and the creation of supernumerary seats for international students.

Objective:
By adopting these guidelines, Indian HEIs seek to position the country as a preferred destination for international students, thereby enriching the diversity and academic environment of higher education institutions nationwide.