The Planning Commission has suggested to frame guidelines to allow Indian universities and other government run institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to set up their offshore campuses. The move has come at the time when India is encouraging foreign universities to set up campuses in the country. Till now, only private institutions can set up their campuses abroad. As of now, there are no rules and regulations to permit government-run institutions to set up offshore campuses. Private institutions like Symbiosis and BITS, Pilani have already opened campuses abroad.
After considerable legal and bureaucratic hurdles, Pune University in May this year became the first government run institutions to start its campus in UAE. Initially, HRD ministry did not approve the concept due to lack of guidelines to set up offshore campus but Pune university got it approved by PM office to become first government run institution to set up offshore campus.
