What NITI Aayog’s $10 Billion Bharat Vidya Kosh Means for Indian Academia

In a major push to position India as a global education hub NITI Aayog has released a detailed roadmap for the internationalisation of higher education in India. The report outlines policy reforms, regulatory easing and funding mechanisms to enhance global collaboration, attract foreign institutions and balance student mobility flows.

Objectives of the Roadmap

The roadmap aims to,

• Make Indian higher education globally competitive
• Attract international students, faculty and institutions
• Reduce regulatory and administrative barriers
• Align India’s academic ecosystem with global best practices
• It builds upon the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which identifies Internationalisation at Home as a national priority.

Key Policy Proposals

• One of the most notable recommendations is the “campus within a campus” model.
• Under this approach, foreign higher education institutions would be allowed to establish co-located campuses within Indian public or private institutions.
• These would operate through brownfield investments and be governed by a 10-year sunset clause to ensure accountability and sustainability.
• The roadmap also calls for simplifying visa norms, reducing documentation requirements, and easing regulations to support seamless mobility of students, faculty and academic institutions across borders.

Institutional and Financial Support Measures

To strengthen research and innovation, the report proposes the creation of a National Research Sovereign Wealth Impact Fund, named Bharat Vidya Kosh. This fund is envisaged as a $10 billion corpus, with,

• 50% contribution from the Indian diaspora or philanthropy
• 50% matching support from the Government of India
• The fund would finance research, innovation and capacity building in higher education and skilling.

Why Internationalization Matters

• India is witnessing a sharp rise in outbound student mobility. In 2024, more than 13 lakh Indian students pursued higher education abroad, with countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia emerging as top destinations.
• In contrast, inbound mobility remains limited. During 2021–22, India hosted only around 50,000 foreign students, nearly 30 per cent from Nepal, highlighting a significant imbalance. The report argues that this gap reflects challenges in retaining domestic talent and attracting global learners.

Scholarships and Student Mobility Initiatives

To attract global talent, NITI Aayog has suggested launching the Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship for international students enrolling in two-year master’s programmes in India. The scheme would offer,

• Competitive stipends
• Tuition and research support
• Accommodation and travel allowances
• Health insurance

The roadmap also recommends providing study-linked internships to enhance employability and global exposure.

Significance for India’s Education Sector

The proposed reforms signal a shift from a largely domestic-focused system to a globally integrated higher education ecosystem. If implemented effectively, the roadmap could,

• Improve India’s global education rankings
• Boost research collaboration and innovation
• Reduce brain drain by strengthening domestic institutions
• Position India as a preferred destination for international students

Key Takeaways

• NITI Aayog released a roadmap on internationalisation of higher education.
• Proposal includes foreign campuses within Indian institutions.
• Over 13 lakh Indian students studied abroad in 2024.
• Suggests a $10 billion Bharat Vidya Kosh for research and innovation.
• Recommends Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship for international students.
• Aligns with the vision of NEP 2020 and global academic integration.