University of Southampton Opens India Campus in Gurugram

• 17 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Union Minister of Education,  along with the Chief Minister of Haryana, inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton in Gurugram, Haryana. 

Key Points 

About Campus of University of Southampton 

• Significant Milestone in India’s Education Sector: The University of Southampton—a QS Top 100 global institution and founding member of the UK’s Russell Group becomes the first foreign university to operationalize a campus in India under the University Grants Commission’s (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023. 
  • The inauguration of the University’s campus in Gurugram marks a key moment in India's higher education sector, celebrating five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
• Internationalization of Education under NEP 2020: The Union Minister highlighted that this event strengthens the education pillar of India-UK cooperation, aligning with the India-UK Roadmap 2030. 
• Campus Offerings and Programmes: The Gurugram campus will offer globally recognized undergraduate and postgraduate programs, allowing students the opportunity to spend up to one year at the University’s campuses in the UK or Malaysia. 

Note:

• India is also expanding its global presence, with IIT Madras opening a campus in Zanzibar and IIT Delhi establishing one in Abu Dhabi. 

About UGC (FHEI) Regulations, 2023 

• The UGC (FHEI) Regulations, 2023, paved the way for foreign universities, ranked among the world's top 500, to establish branch campuses in India. 
  • The move aligns with the National Education Policy(NEP), 2020, envisioning a legislative framework for top global universities in India. 
  • The NEP 2020 provided that selected universities, e.g., those from among the top 100 universities in the world, will be facilitated to operate in India. 
• University Grants Commission (UGC): 
  • UGC  is a statutory body in India established in 1953 to coordinate, determine, and maintain standards of higher education.   
  • It was created by the Indian government through the UGC Act of 1956. The UGC's main functions include providing recognition to universities, disbursing funds, and advising the government on matters related to higher education.   
  • The UGC headquarters is located in New Delhi.