A Knight Frank and Deloitte report estimates that foreign universities setting up campuses in India could help retain $113 billion in foreign exchange by 2040, while expanding access to high quality higher education.
Foreign higher education institutions establishing campuses in India could help the country retain an estimated $113 billion in foreign exchange by 2040, according to a joint Knight Frank and Deloitte report.
The report states that 18 foreign institutions have already received approval to operate in India. By 2040, these campuses could generate demand for nearly 19 million square feet of Grade A commercial space, initially adopting vertical campus models.
India currently has around 53 million students enrolled in tertiary education. To meet the government’s target of a 50 percent gross enrollment ratio by 2035, total enrollment would need to rise to about 72 million.
The report highlights a shortage of seats in elite institutions. In 2025, about 54,000 students cleared all levels of the JEE, while the IITs offered only 18,000 seats.
Globally, universities in Europe and the Americas are facing demographic pressures and reduced international mobility, prompting greater interest in offshore campuses in high growth markets such as India.
[Source: Business Standard]
