Illinois Tech to Launch First US University Campus in India by 2026
| 2025-05-14
Mumbai campus of Illinois Tech (Illinois Tech Website)
Illinois Tech becomes the first US university approved to grant full degrees in India, with a new Mumbai campus set to open in 2026.
The Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is set to become the first United States university to establish a full-fledged, degree-awarding campus in India. The Illinois Tech Mumbai campus, approved by India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), is expected to open in 2026.
This development marks a significant milestone in India's evolving higher education landscape, as Illinois Tech will be the first foreign institution to independently offer full US degrees in the country under UGC’s new foreign university regulations.
First US university to gain UGC approval
Illinois Tech, a technology-focused university based in Chicago, is the first American institution to receive clearance from the UGC to operate a fully independent campus in India. The campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science, engineering, and business.
The move comes in response to the UGC’s 2023 guidelines for foreign higher education institutions, which allow top-ranking international universities to set up campuses in India under the provisions of the country’s 2020 National Education Policy (NEP).
According to the university, students enrolled in the Mumbai campus will follow the same experiential and industry-focused curriculum as offered at the main Chicago campus. Courses will be taught by a mix of internationally recruited faculty and visiting professors from the United States.
Global education, local access
Illinois Tech students in Mumbai will have access to the university’s signature Elevate programme, which integrates academic learning with hands-on experience through internships, industry projects, research, and competitions.
A key feature of the new campus will be cross-border collaboration. Students will have the opportunity to study across both the US and Indian campuses without needing to relocate permanently. This model is designed to offer an international education experience while remaining locally accessible.
Mallik Sundharam, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Illinois Tech, described the move as a response to the growing demand for international qualifications among Indian students.
“Our new campus responds to this extraordinary demand by delivering globally recognised Illinois Tech degrees in a highly accessible, affordable, and locally contextualised format,” Mr Sundharam said.
Rising interest from foreign institutions
Illinois Tech’s Mumbai campus sets a precedent, but other foreign universities are also exploring Indian expansions. Australian institutions such as Deakin University and the University of Wollongong have announced campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City. However, those campuses operate under a different regulatory framework led by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and are not directly regulated by the UGC.
The GIFT City institutions primarily focus on international finance-related programmes, with limited domestic degree offerings. In contrast, Illinois Tech’s Mumbai campus will directly engage with India’s mainstream higher education sector.
Several other international universities — including the University of Southampton (UK), Queen’s University Belfast (UK), and Western Sydney University (Australia) — have also shown interest in entering the Indian market. However, none have yet received UGC approval for a full-degree campus.
Aligning with India’s global education ambitions
The establishment of Illinois Tech’s Mumbai campus aligns with India’s broader ambitions to become a global education hub by 2047. The National Education Policy 2020 advocates for the internationalisation of Indian higher education, encouraging reputable global universities to establish a presence in the country.
Indian officials have welcomed the development. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Consul General of India in Chicago have both expressed support, calling it a positive step for students and future employers.
Illinois Tech has been consistently ranked among the top US institutions for career outcomes, especially in STEM and business disciplines. The university's high ratings for graduate earnings and upward mobility, as reported by The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and TFE Times, further enhance its appeal to Indian students seeking quality education with international standards.
Expanding India’s higher education landscape
Until recently, foreign universities in India could only collaborate with local institutions through joint programmes or operate within specialised zones like GIFT City. The 2023 UGC regulations represent a shift towards deeper integration of global education providers within the Indian system.
Illinois Tech’s Mumbai campus is likely to serve as a model for similar ventures, potentially accelerating the entry of other international institutions. With India’s student population growing and demand for international education rising, the trend may reshape the country's higher education ecosystem in the coming years.
As the first US university to secure such approval, Illinois Tech’s initiative may pave the way for a more globally integrated education system in India.
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