UGC directs HEIs to have 25% extra seats for foreign students

In a bid to increase opportunity for foreign students to study in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday released guidelines mandating the reservation of supernumerary seats for international students in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs in higher educational institutes (HEIs) in India.

Under the new guidelines, HEIs have been directed to allocate up to 25% supernumerary seats for international students. These seats have to be over and above of their total allowed enrolment for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

However, the decision to implement this quota is subject to the limitations of individual institutions based on factors such as infrastructure and faculty availability. These seats will not include the international students under exchange programs or and through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between institutions or between Government of India and other countries.

The institutes have been asked to distribute these 25 per cent seats among all departments, schools, centres or any other academic unit of the higher educational institution.

UGC has reiterated that supernumerary seats should be designated to international students only. In case, the seats are left empty, these seats should not be allocated to anyone other than an international student.
The supernumerary seats in professional and technical institutes will be governed by the respective statutory bodies, and PhD seats will be governed by the Regulations notified by the UGC.

Also, it is deemed compulsory for all such institutes to have an ‘Office for International Students’ to maintain year-wise details such as country, number, programme/subject, duration etc.

HEIs are instructed to admit international students based on the equivalence of their entry qualifications. A transparent admission process is encouraged to ensure fairness and accessibility for international applicants.

According to official notifications, students who possess foreign passports will be considered for this quota. This definition ensures clarity in identifying eligible candidates for the reserved seats.