The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it compulsory for all foreign nationals studying in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and universities across India to register themselves on the new ‘Study In India’ (SII) portal. Through a public notice, the UGC announced that going forward, study visas will be directly linked to this central portal.
Previously, foreign students aspiring to study in India’s HEIs would apply to their chosen institutions, which would then assist them in obtaining visas. The lack of a unified database for foreign students made comprehensive tracking challenging, especially given various reports from police regarding overstaying and, in some instances, involvement in criminal activities.
To address this critical oversight, the UGC, acting on instructions from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has now mandated that all foreign students, as well as the institutions enrolling them, must register on the SII portal, effective from the academic year 2025-26.
Furthermore, the UGC has directed HEIs admitting foreign students to appoint a dedicated ‘Compliance Officer.’ This officer’s role will be to ensure adherence to all guidelines under the SII program and portal, facilitate smooth admission and visa processes for international students, and oversee their safe and appropriate accommodation on campus.
K.G. Chandrashekhara, Executive Director of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, highlighted the anticipated increase in foreign student enrollment in the state, with more international universities set to establish campuses in Bengaluru. He stated, “We already have Imperial College of London in Bengaluru, and Liverpool University has signed an agreement to establish a campus in the city. Now we have also invited Wolverhampton University to establish its campus in Bengaluru. Therefore, the number of students coming to Karnataka for higher education will only increase further.” Chandrashekhara emphasized that all educational institutions registered on the SII portal should display student information, which will be crucial for providing adequate accommodation, protection, and effective monitoring for foreign nationals.