Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
- NITI Aayog released a report on internationalising Indian higher education.
- Focuses on correcting imbalance between outbound and inbound student mobility.
- In 2024, for every one foreign student in India, 28 Indians studied abroad.
- Aligns with goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
- Released alongside proposed reforms under Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.
Rationale for Internationalisation
- India seeks to emerge as a global education and research destination.
- Low inflow of foreign students weakens global academic integration.
- Internationalisation is critical for research quality, global rankings, and soft power.
- Enhances cross-border knowledge exchange and academic competitiveness.
Current Status of International Students
- As of 2022, India hosted about 47,000 international students.
- NITI Aayog projects 7.89–11 lakh foreign students by 2047, using forecasting models.
- Indicates large untapped potential despite India’s demographic and academic scale.
Key Policy Recommendations
- Strategic and Financial Measures
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- Proposal to establish Bharat Vidya Kosh, a national research sovereign wealth fund.
- Suggested corpus of $10 billion, with 50% from diaspora and philanthropy.
- Remaining 50% to be matched by the Central government.
- Intended to fund advanced research and global academic collaborations.
- Scholarships and Faculty Attraction
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- Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship proposed to attract international students.
- Vishwa Bandhu Fellowship recommended to draw foreign researchers and faculty.
- Aims to improve diversity, teaching quality, and research output.
- Academic and Curriculum Reforms
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- Recommendation for updated, globally aligned curricula.
- Proposal for an Erasmus+-like student exchange programme.
- Emphasis on mobility, credit transfer, and joint academic programmes.
- Regulatory and Institutional Reforms
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- Easing regulatory frameworks to allow more international campuses in India.
- Expansion of NIRF ranking criteria to include global engagement indicators.
- Standards Council to design non-binding internationalisation frameworks.
Branding, Outreach, and Culture
- Strong focus on global branding of Indian institutions.
- Enhanced communication, outreach, and cultural openness recommended.
- Goal is to reposition India as an education hub of the Global South.
Conclusion
- NITI Aayog’s roadmap seeks to transform India into a globally competitive education destination.
- Addressing mobility imbalance, research funding, and regulatory rigidity is central.
- Effective implementation is crucial to realise NEP 2020’s international ambitions.