Spanish universities are considering expanding into India through branch campuses, joint degrees and research partnerships, as both governments strengthen higher education ties under India’s National Education Policy framework.
Spain’s higher education sector is exploring deeper engagement with India following a bilateral conference in New Delhi that brought together over 30 Spanish academic leaders and representatives from around 70 Indian institutions.
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally invited leading Spanish universities to establish campuses under the National Education Policy 2020, which allows foreign institutions to open campuses, offer joint and dual degrees, and deliver programs locally.
Discussions focused on joint degrees, staff mobility, research collaboration and innovation partnerships, with formal agreements expected later this year. Spanish institutions are looking to diversify beyond traditional recruitment markets, and India’s demographic scale and policy reforms make it an attractive partner.
The initiative aligns with the Spain India Dual Year 2026, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations, with education and research placed at the center of cooperation.
While no campuses have been announced yet, officials indicated that feasibility discussions are underway, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
