NITI Aayog's Roadmap for Internationalising Higher Education in India

Internationalisation of Higher Education in India

The NITI Aayog has recently released a report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations”. This report aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and follows the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aimed at reforming higher education regulation.

The primary goal of this initiative is to address the significant discrepancy between inbound and outbound student mobility and to establish India as a global hub for education and research.

Rationale for Internationalisation

In 2024, the ratio of international students studying in India to Indian students studying abroad stood at 1:28. By 2022, India had only around 47,000 international students, despite a 518% increase since 2001. Projections indicate that by 2047, India could host between 7.89 and 11 lakh international students, depending on the intensity of policy implementation.

The internationalisation of higher education is crucial for enhancing knowledge diplomacy, facilitating talent circulation, mitigating brain drain, and promoting economic sustainability.

Key Findings of the Report

• Economic and Strategic Concerns: Outward remittances under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) have surged by about 2000% in the last decade. The expenditure of Indian students on overseas education is estimated to reach ₹6.2 lakh crore by 2025, which is approximately 2% of India's GDP.
• Concentration of Students: Of the 13.5 lakh Indian students studying abroad, 8.5 lakh are in high-income countries such as the USA, UK, and Australia.
• Perception and Institutional Gaps: 41% of institutions reported that limited scholarships or financial aid is a major barrier, while 30% cited concerns regarding the quality of education in India.

Major Policy Recommendations

• Strategic and Financial Measures: Establish the Bharat Vidya Kosh, a national research sovereign wealth fund with a proposed corpus of $10 billion.
• Scholarships and Fellowships: Introduce the Vishwa Bandhu scholarship to attract foreign students and fellowship to draw international research talent.
• Mobility and Global Partnerships: Create a framework similar to Europe’s Erasmus+ program to enhance academic mobility.
• Regulatory Reforms: Simplify entry and exit norms for foreign students and faculty, and establish a single-window clearance system for various administrative needs.
• Branding and Outreach: Expand NIRF parameters to encompass outreach, inclusivity, and international partnerships.

Challenges Identified and Way Forward

Several challenges remain, including a persistent perception gap regarding quality, a fragmented regulatory ecosystem, and a weak culture of internationalisation. To address these, India must prioritize internationalisation as a strategic national initiative. The focus should shift from merely exporting students to becoming a global education destination.

In conclusion, the NITI Aayog's roadmap highlights that the internationalisation of higher education is pivotal for India's economic resilience and strategic autonomy. By transforming into a global knowledge hub, India can align with the aspirations set forth in the NEP 2020 and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the purpose of the NITI Aayog's report on higher education?
Answer: The report aims to provide recommendations for the internationalisation of higher education in India, focusing on enhancing student mobility and establishing India as a global education hub.

Q2. How many Indian students study abroad compared to international students in India?
Answer: In 2024, the ratio was 1 international student in India for every 28 Indian students studying abroad.

Q3. What are the key barriers to attracting international students to India?
Answer: Key barriers include limited scholarships, perceptions of education quality, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural adaptation challenges.

Q4. What financial measures are suggested in the report?
Answer: The report suggests establishing the Bharat Vidya Kosh, a national research fund, and introducing scholarships to attract foreign students.

Q5. What is the significance of the proposed "Tagore framework"?
Answer: The "Tagore framework" is a suggested multilateral academic mobility program aimed at enhancing educational partnerships between India and specific country groupings.