International universities are making a beeline for India.

According to India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, over 50 foreign universities are in talks with different state governments and have applied for UGC approval. Three foreign universities are already operating in India.

“We will evaluate these institutions based on our standards, and approvals will be granted accordingly. This move is in the best interest of students,” Pradhan said in Parliament recently.

“Nearly 14-15 lakh students go abroad for higher education leading to a significant outflow of resources. To address this gap and promote higher education research within India, the UGC has amended its regulations to facilitate the entry of foreign universities.”

Pradhan also added that the foreign universities would be allowed to function with complete academic independence reasserting the government’s commitment to institutional autonomy.

In another question on increasing penalties for universities violating regulations, the minister reiterated that the government focus is on maintaining high standards and compliance in the higher education sector.