India is taking a significant step in globalizing its higher education landscape as the University Grants Commission (UGC) issues Letters of Intent (LoIs) to five esteemed international universities—allowing them to establish campuses in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai by December 2026.

The institutions receiving LoIs include the University of York (UK), University of Western Australia, University of Aberdeen (UK), Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), and Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy). The University of Western Australia will also launch a second campus in Chennai, further extending the reach of international academic institutions.

This initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, grants these universities full autonomy over governance, curriculum, fees, and admissions—paving the way for globally aligned, student-centric programs within India. By offering seats at significantly lower cost than overseas study, these campuses aim to retain talent within India while enhancing the country’s appeal as an international education base.

Foreign and Indian universities are encouraged to collaborate under this framework, further fostering academic partnerships and knowledge sharing. With operations expected to begin by late 2026, this landmark development could herald a new era in Indian higher education—combining global quality with domestic accessibility.