The University Grants Commission has been seriously engaged in the analysis of the findings of the various reports on foreign education providers operating in the country with regard to the standing of such providers in their respective countries, the nature of programmes offered by them and the degrees awarded, and above all, protection of the interest of students seeking admission to such foreign institutions.

Many foreign educational institutions are operating in the country offering different types of courses and programmes and there is no regulation presently in place to control and curb the operation of such institutions with academic credentials which may not even be satisfying in their own country. The UGC is aware that the AICTE Regulation of 2003 are applicable only for technical and management education but not in the other areas of higher education.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has time and again emphasised the need to put in a regulatory framework for entry and operation of foreign education providers through a UGC Regulation. This need has also been emphasised by various reports of experts/committees which include the report of the C.N.R. Rao Committee, the Study Report on foreign educational institutions (2005) by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) and the Report prepared by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in 2012.

The objective of the UGC is to formulate a regulatory framework which could be put in place on the lines similar to what has been laid down by the AICTE in 2003.

The MHRD has been deeply concerned with this situation and has been approaching the UGC to make a detailed analysis of the implications of the operation of such institutions in the country. In a February 1^st, 2012 letter, it requested the UGC to frame regulations/guidelines for the purpose of safeguarding the interest of the student community in India. Accordingly, the UGC constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. P. Rama Rao in March, 2012 to look into the entire issue and make recommendations which could facilitate the formulation of appropriate regulations.

 The Report of the Rama Rao committee was subjected to further scrutiny through another committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Ramamurthy Naidu. This committee has finalised the regulations which are now to be placed before the Commission for its consideration.

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