With IIT Delhi and IIT Madras leading the way, India’s higher education institutions are increasingly positioning themselves as global players, signalling a shift from being education seekers to education providers on the world stage
India’s premier technical institutions are expanding their global footprint, with two Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) set to establish campuses abroad, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour. The move marks a significant step in India’s efforts to internationalise its higher education ecosystem and project Indian academic excellence beyond its borders.
According to Pradhan, IIT Delhi is preparing to inaugurate a campus in Abu Dhabi, while IIT Madras has already established its presence in Zanzibar. The Zanzibar campus, he said, has been designed with a specific focus on addressing the educational and skill development needs of African nations, reflecting India’s growing engagement with the Global South through education and knowledge-sharing.
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The overseas expansion of IITs aligns with the government’s broader vision of positioning India as a global education hub
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By taking Indian institutions abroad, policymakers aim to enhance India’s academic influence, strengthen international collaborations, and create new opportunities for students and researchers across regions
Pradhan emphasised that internationalisation is not a one-way process. Alongside encouraging Indian institutions to establish campuses overseas, the government is actively working to attract reputed foreign universities to set up operations in India. “Many foreign institutions have been invited to India. It is our priority that quality institutions come to the country,” he told the House.
He noted that for years, Indian students have felt compelled to pursue higher education abroad due to limited global exposure and choices within the country. However, this dynamic is beginning to shift. With foreign universities now entering India and Indian institutions expanding internationally, students will have access to world-class education without necessarily leaving the country.
As part of this initiative, Pradhan revealed that two foreign institutions have already begun the process of establishing campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City, which is being developed as a global financial and educational hub. The presence of international universities in India is expected to enhance academic competition, improve quality standards, and foster innovation through collaboration.
Education experts view the twin developments—Indian IITs going global and foreign universities setting up in India—as a transformative phase for the sector. Together, these steps could help reverse brain drain, promote cross-border research, and strengthen India’s standing in global higher education rankings.
