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At the Study in India Conclave, Dharmendra Pradhan invited foreign universities and students to partner with India.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addresses the Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave in New Delhi.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday addressed the Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026 organised by the Ministry of Education at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi. The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of diplomatic missions from more than 50 countries, along with senior officials of the ministry, to discuss cooperation in higher education.
Speaking at the gathering, the minister highlighted changes introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and said India is focusing on quality, innovation and affordability while expanding the international reach of its education system.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned India becoming a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of Independence, and added that the country continues to offer opportunities to learn, research and innovate. Pradhan said India’s strengths include its knowledge ecosystem, young population and growing economy. Through NEP 2020 and the Study in India initiative, he noted, the country is opening new pathways for students, researchers and institutions from abroad.
The minister also pointed to India’s work in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors and sustainable energy, saying the country is positioning itself as an innovation partner for other nations. Emphasising the role of education in global engagement, he urged foreign representatives to collaborate with India’s multidisciplinary and expanding higher education system.
Push for Internationalisation
Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi said the policy has given direction to reforms in recent years, especially in multidisciplinary learning, skill integration and global engagement. He noted that Indian institutions are expanding ties through joint, dual and twinning programmes and that leading universities are increasing their international presence.
Joshi added that the University Grants Commission has introduced a transparent and time-bound process allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India, with applications from institutions in Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States cleared within a month. He described the Study in India initiative as an open invitation for global academic partnership.
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Focus Areas Discussed
The conclave held thematic sessions on Indian Knowledge Systems, academic partnerships under SPARC and GIAN, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, UGC regulations for foreign university campuses, international branch campuses, skill development and Bharat Innovates 2026.
Officials said the discussions focused on student mobility, joint academic programmes, research collaboration and the establishment of campuses by foreign universities in India.
The Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave aims to attract students from partner countries to pursue higher education and short-term courses in India while encouraging institutional collaborations and greater academic exchange.
March 02, 2026, 19:00 IST
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