US and UK restrict Indian students’ stay, while India aims to develop world-class higher education.
NEW DELHI: After earning billions from Indian students, the U.S. and British governments are now issuing orders for most youths to return home. Since the arrival of President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, new rules and regulations have been imposed, creating tension and difficulties for Indian youths along with other foreigners. Thousands of students and their parents arrange expenses or loans ranging from lakhs to crores (millions), hoping or believing that after completing their studies, they can work abroad for a few years to repay these loans.
In India, employment opportunities for highly educated youth have also increased. Besides Indian companies, many foreign companies are offering jobs. However, initially, these jobs do not pay as much according to the Indian market standards. Similarly, self-employment requires a substantial amount of capital. After completing 11 years in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented the vision of a self-reliant, developed India 2047 with various achievements and future goals. Alongside becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, India is advancing campaigns in digital revolution, defence production, science and technology, space, health, and medicine toward self-reliance. So, why not give top priority to education as well? After introducing the New Education Policy, why can’t we encourage world-class universities like Harvard and Oxford to open branches in India and transform selected Indian universities into centres of excellence?
Recent months have revealed that staying back in the US after studies is becoming difficult. Student visas are being cancelled, and the threat of deportation looms. More than 300,000 Indian students who want to work under the old Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme after studying face the proposal to end it. This may force students to return to India immediately after their studies. By May 2025, around 69,000 Indian students received warning notices for exceeding unemployment limits, risking visa cancellations and deportation orders. Many visas are cancelled immediately due to minor rule violations or political activities (such as supporting Palestine). The pressure of “self-deportation” is also mounting. Those whose visas are cancelled must leave the US within 15 days. Many students are quitting jobs or avoiding work out of fear.
Similarly, finding jobs after studies in the UK is also becoming harder. According to the new rules, the allowed working hours have been reduced. Previously, students were permitted to do part-time work for a fixed number of hours per week alongside their studies. The duration of the Graduate Route visa for Indian students has been cut from two years to 18 months. Several restrictions have also been imposed on family visa holders. More than 90% of Indian students reportedly return to India after studies due to lack of jobs or visa extensions. This causes growing mental stress and a feeling of incomplete education.
On the other hand, according to Reserve Bank data, in 2023–24, India sent $3.47 billion abroad for education and travel-related expenses. In 2024–25, the total amount is estimated to be around $31.7 billion, with education-related expenses at approximately $3.5 billion. Roughly, Indian students spend Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 crore (US $3.4–3.5 billion) annually on foreign education.
By 2025, India will have about 1,150 universities and over 40,000 colleges, including 55 central universities, 479 state universities, 137 deemed universities, and 455 private universities. The education budget for 2025–26 is Rs 1,28,650 crore, with Rs 78,572 crore (61%) allocated to school education and Rs 50,078 crore (39%) to higher education.
In 2023, India officially allowed foreign universities to open branch campuses here. According to University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, globally reputed universities (top 500 rankings) can open independent campuses in India. These institutions will operate with full autonomy, determining their own admission policies, fee structures, and infrastructure. On-campus education must be the primary mode, with no more than 10% online education permitted. A university may open multiple campuses.
So far, five foreign universities have been permitted to open branches: Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), University of Liverpool (UK), Victoria University and Western Sydney University (Australia), and Institute Europa di Design (Italy). Approximately 15 more universities have been authorised to open campuses in India, expected to start operations in 2025–26.
Establishing world-class universities like Harvard, Oxford, or Cambridge in India requires more than infrastructure; it demands policies, culture, and conducive resources—such as academic freedom, autonomy, and protection from political interference. Freedom is essential in course design, admissions, faculty appointments, and research direction. Existing regulators like UGC and AICTE must be reformed to grant more autonomy.
Top universities require investments of Rs 25–50 lakh per student annually. India should adopt a public-private partnership (PPP) model and foster an endowment fund culture similar to Harvard’s $50 billion endowment. To attract world-class faculty, salaries of Rs 1–2 crore, research funding, housing, and freedom must be provided. Returning Indian-origin academics, Nobel laureates, and professors could be encouraged to join Indian institutions. Research and innovation should be prioritised.
Indian universities must focus on global ranking criteria and transparency, such as student-teacher ratios, international diversity, and research impact. Currently, 90% of Indian universities focus mainly on teaching, with little emphasis on research. The central government should allocate research budgets of Rs 500–1,000 crore to top universities, which can also be funded by large corporations. Religious institutions and trusts could also contribute billions for education, as they hold vast gold and silver reserves that could be leveraged via banking.
After all, what could be a greater charity than education?
