Andhra Pradesh wants 5 foreign university campuses and 5,000 overseas students by 2029
By TUF News Desk · Published 18 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Roughly one lakh students from Andhra Pradesh head abroad for higher studies every year. The state’s answer to that outflow is now official: a policy to bring foreign universities to Andhra Pradesh instead.
The state Cabinet approved the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) and Private Universities, 2026 on October 7, and the government notified it on October 13. The policy sets out how foreign universities can open campuses in the state and what the government offers in return.
Targets for 2029
The policy lays down four headline targets for 2029. More than five foreign institutions should be operating in the state by then, with over 5,000 foreign students studying on local campuses. The government also wants 80 percent of eligible institutions to offer joint, dual or twinning programmes, and to lift the gross enrolment ratio to 50 percent.
Who qualifies
A foreign institution must rank in the top 500 of the Times Higher Education or QS world rankings, or in the top 100 in subject-specific rankings. The state is prioritising sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, life sciences, ports and maritime, and data science.
Leading Indian private universities are covered too, with preference for institutions ranked in the top 100 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
What the state is offering
Institutions that sign a memorandum of understanding with the state government by December 31, 2027 will get single-window clearance. The incentive package includes subsidised land allotments of up to 50 acres and a full exemption from stamp duty and registration fees for campus construction. The government says the policy will not impose any financial burden on the state.
Announcing the Cabinet decision, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the policy aims to give students access to global-standard education within Andhra Pradesh and reduce the need to study abroad.
How a campus gets built
There are three models. A foreign university can build and operate its own campus under the UGC’s 2023 regulations for foreign universities, with degrees recognised as equivalent to Indian degrees. A third-party provider can also acquire land, construct and maintain the campus while the foreign university uses it only for academic work.
The national backdrop
Foreign campuses in India are still finding their feet. Thirteen foreign institutions have started operations since 2024 under the NEP 2020 framework, spread across 14 locations in five cities. Mumbai hosts five of them, Bengaluru and GIFT City have three each, Gurugram has two and Chennai has one, The Hindu reported. The University of New South Wales opened its Bengaluru campus this August with 90 students across four programmes, short of the 120 it had planned for.
Andhra Pradesh already hosts national institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, and the new policy extends the same logic to foreign names. For students, the promise is global-standard programmes without leaving the country. No admissions have been announced yet, so this is a policy development to watch rather than an admission alert. Students weighing new campuses can start with our guide on choosing the right university in India.
Frequently asked questions
Which foreign universities can set up campuses in Andhra Pradesh?
Institutions ranked in the top 500 of the THE or QS world rankings, or in the top 100 in subject rankings, are eligible, subject to the UGC’s 2023 regulations for foreign campuses.
When will these foreign campuses open?
The state targets more than five campuses by 2029. Actual openings depend on MoUs signed with the government and UGC approval, and no admissions have been announced yet.
Will degrees from these campuses be valid in India?
Yes. Under the UGC framework, qualifications from foreign university campuses in India are treated as equivalent to corresponding Indian degrees.
What incentives is Andhra Pradesh offering?
Single-window clearance, subsidised land of up to 50 acres, and full exemption from stamp duty and registration fees for institutions that sign an MoU by December 31, 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Which foreign universities can set up campuses in Andhra Pradesh?
Institutions ranked in the top 500 of the THE or QS world rankings, or in the top 100 in subject rankings, are eligible, subject to the UGC's 2023 regulations for foreign campuses.
When will these foreign campuses open?
The state targets more than five campuses by 2029. Actual openings depend on MoUs signed with the government and UGC approval, and no admissions have been announced yet.
Will degrees from these campuses be valid in India?
Yes. Under the UGC framework, qualifications from foreign university campuses in India are treated as equivalent to corresponding Indian degrees.
What incentives is Andhra Pradesh offering?
Single-window clearance, subsidised land of up to 50 acres, and full exemption from stamp duty and registration fees for institutions that sign an MoU by December 31, 2027.
Sources: The New Indian Express, The Hindu BusinessLine, ETV Bharat