UGC Urges HEIs to Implement Supernumerary Seats for International Students in Line with NEP 2020

According to the UGC's public notice dated May 9, 2025, HEIs are encouraged to create up to 25% supernumerary seats, over and above their total sanctioned enrolment.

In a move to boost the internationalization of Indian higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has once again urged all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and affiliated colleges to implement guidelines for creating supernumerary seats for international students. This initiative is part of the broader vision outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

According to the UGC's public notice dated May 9, 2025, HEIs are encouraged to create up to 25% supernumerary seats, over and above their total sanctioned enrolment, specifically for international students in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Institutions have been asked to formally adopt these guidelines and report compliance via the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP).

The guidelines, initially issued on September 30, 2022, are aimed at simplifying the admission process for international students, creating a more welcoming environment, and making India a preferred destination for global learners. The UGC has clarified that the supernumerary seats are meant exclusively for international students—defined as holders of foreign passports—and cannot be reallocated to domestic candidates.

Institutions are also advised to set up dedicated Offices for International Students, maintain transparent admission procedures, and publish detailed information on programmes, fees, and eligibility criteria on their websites. The admission of international students will be based on the equivalence of entry qualifications determined by the UGC or other recognized bodies.

The UGC emphasized that these supernumerary seats will not include students admitted under exchange programs or bilateral agreements through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

HEIs are expected to align their infrastructure and faculty resources to accommodate the additional intake, with specific provisions applicable to professional, technical, and PhD programmes as governed by respective regulatory bodies.

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