Telangana earmarks 250 acres for 10 foreign universities in Hyderabad's Future City
By TUF News Desk · Published 21 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Hyderabad may soon get a dedicated district for foreign universities. The Telangana government plans to set aside 250 acres in its proposed Future City for overseas universities, allotting 20 to 25 acres each to 10 institutions, the Hyderabad Mail reported on October 20.
Along with the land, the state is putting together an incentive package. A committee of senior officials from different departments will decide what Telangana offers reputed international universities, including the price at which each acre is allotted. Rather than striking separate deals with each university, the government wants one common incentive policy covering infrastructure, investment, approvals and academic programmes. The policy is expected to be ready before an upcoming global summit.
The groundwork started earlier this month. On October 5, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju directed officials to frame a comprehensive policy to attract international institutions to Future City and prepare an action plan ahead of the summit, according to an IANS report. The stated aim is to turn Telangana into an international education hub.
One cluster, shared facilities
With roughly 10 universities expected in the same zone, the committee is also studying how shared facilities such as playgrounds and a stadium can serve students across campuses, the Hyderabad Mail said. The government is expected to weigh the range of courses each university offers before extending land and incentives. The assessment will check whether programmes go beyond engineering and management, whether they match future demand, and whether they build job-related skills.
Which universities are in the running
Officials have said the University of London, the University of Birmingham and four other international universities have expressed interest in Future City. Telangana is mainly courting institutions from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and wants those ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings. That bar is higher than the Union education ministry’s rule, which allows top-500 foreign universities to open offshore campuses in India. The UGC’s official portal carries the regulatory framework for these campuses.
The University of Colorado Denver has already received a letter of intent from the UGC for a Hyderabad campus, making it the first American public university cleared to set up a degree-granting location in India. You can read the details of the planned CU Denver Hyderabad campus. The University of London has separately applied to the UGC to start academic operations in 2027, The Hindu reported in April, and Northeastern University is exploring an offshore campus at Bharat Future City.
What students could gain
Eligible students from economically weaker backgrounds get ₹20 lakh for two years under the state’s Foreign Education Scheme to study at foreign universities abroad, the Hyderabad Mail reported. With overseas universities setting up local campuses, the government is considering paying the fees of students who enrol at these Hyderabad campuses instead. If that happens, a top-200 global degree could become reachable without leaving Hyderabad.
The announcement adds to the momentum for foreign campuses in India. Earlier this month, the University of Liverpool opened its Bengaluru campus with nearly 300 students in its first batch. Students comparing these new institutions with established Indian ones can work through this university-choosing guide for India.
Frequently asked questions
How much land is Telangana offering foreign universities?
The state plans to earmark 250 acres in Future City, tentatively allotting 20 to 25 acres each to 10 overseas universities, according to the Hyderabad Mail. The plan is not final yet.
Which universities have shown interest?
Officials have named the University of London and the University of Birmingham, besides four other international universities. The University of Colorado Denver has separately received a UGC letter of intent for a Hyderabad campus.
When will the policy be finalised?
Telangana aims to frame its dedicated foreign-university policy before an upcoming global summit. Consultations with universities are underway, and a committee of senior officials is deciding the incentives and the land price.
Will students get fee support at these campuses?
Students from economically weaker backgrounds currently get ₹20 lakh for two years under the Foreign Education Scheme. The government is considering fee support for students who enrol at the Hyderabad campuses of foreign universities, but no decision has been announced.
Frequently asked questions
How much land is Telangana offering foreign universities?
The state plans to earmark 250 acres in Future City, tentatively allotting 20 to 25 acres each to 10 overseas universities, according to the Hyderabad Mail. The plan is not final yet.
Which universities have shown interest?
Officials have named the University of London and the University of Birmingham, besides four other international universities. The University of Colorado Denver has separately received a UGC letter of intent for a Hyderabad campus.
When will the policy be finalised?
Telangana aims to frame its dedicated foreign-university policy before an upcoming global summit. Consultations with universities are underway, and a committee of senior officials is deciding the incentives and the land price.
Will students get fee support at these campuses?
Students from economically weaker backgrounds currently get ₹20 lakh for two years under the Foreign Education Scheme. The government is considering fee support for students who enrol at the Hyderabad campuses of foreign universities, but no decision has been announced.
Sources: Hyderabad Mail, IANS via Lokmat Times, The New Indian Express