Future expansion plans include Suleja, West Africa, with the first intake in 2026

The higher education system in India is drawing considerable international attention, with many countries considering the establishment of their own overseas campuses for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The officials in the Union Education Ministry suggested that Bhutan and Morocco have made formal and informal requests for IIT campuses, thereby signifying the growing demand for Indian academic expertise abroad. While the government has yet to arrive at a final position in the matter, the development underscores the increasing international allure of IITs and the broader mission of expanding India's presence in higher education globally.

Current IIT Global Footprint

As of now, the Indian Institutes of Technology's global footprint includes two functional campuses. The first, established in November 2023, was not without contention, being IIT Madras Zanzibar, the first international branch of the IITs, in Tanzania. Then came IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which opened in September 2024 from an interim site at Zayed University until its permanent home became operational in Abu Dhabi.

NEP 2020 and International Education

According to the NEP 2020 and the international education policy, expansion abroad will be easier for Indian universities, and world-class foreign universities will be encouraged to build campuses in India. This policy structure is stated to support not only the establishment of IIT campuses in other countries but also to further integrate into India's international higher education strategy.

Future Expansion Plans

Further expansion is part of India's plans, with a memorandum of agreement being signed on 4 October 2025 for setting up a new IIT campus at Suleja, West Africa, with the first set of undergraduate and postgraduate students expected to arrive in 2026. Bhutan and Morocco have expressed interest in hosting IIT overseas campuses, along with certain countries exploring other opportunities for IIT branch campuses abroad.

Wider Context

As noted by sources in the Ministry of Education, the proposals for IIT overseas campuses from Bhutan and Morocco elucidate the increasing popularity of Indian higher education. Analysts pointed out that such changes highlight the global partnerships for Indian higher education, and overseas IIT campus development countries act as a pathway to expand India's academic reach. The decision also speaks about the impact of global IIT campuses on education in India, with internationalisation increasing further collaboration and prestige. With further deliberations about international IIT campuses going beyond those in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, Indian higher education stands on the brink of stretching further in internationally.

Editor's note:

India is definitely sounding its entry on the global stage in higher education. In fact, countries such as Bhutan and Morocco are showing interest in the Indian Institutes of Technology. Officials confirmed that both nations have made formal and informal requests for IIT campuses, indicating how Indian academic expertise is indeed valued beyond borders. Although the government hasn't yet taken a final decision on this matter, it represents the international trend toward growing demand for IITs and India's wider ambitions in this regard in taking higher education footprints around the world. Currently, the IITs have two campuses abroad: IIT Madras Zanzibar opened in Tanzania in November 2023, and IIT Delhi, the Abu Dhabi campus, inaugurated in the UAE in September 2024. These signify a new phase in India's outreach in education, which sets the tone for future expansion. This has been further impressive with the National Education Policy (NEP). 2020 in action. This facilitates Indian universities with a net allowing them to set up campuses in foreign countries and welcomes into India world-class foreign universities to set up their branch campuses. Hence, this is further ground supporting IITs' growing internationally as well as enhancing India's higher education strategy. Looking ahead, India has also agreed to open a new IIT in Suleja, West Africa, where the first batch is planned to commence in 2026. Interest from Bhutan and Morocco will give an added fillip to the movement. Other countries are also racing ahead on this front to check for IIT branch campuses. In general terms, all these proposals indicated the increasing importance of Indian higher education and international linkages. An overseas IIT campus expands India's reach in terms of academic merit but also enhances collaboration, prestige, and internationalisation. Now under discussion are plans to expand Indians beyond Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, making Indian higher education poised to expand further across the globe.

It's a momentous occasion: it tells the world that universities in India are no longer confined to boundaries and have become part of a global tapestry. The challenge will be to temper growth with quality such that IITs abroad are of the same standard as those that have made them worthy of Indian reverence.

FAQs

1. Which IITs have international campuses?

At present, two IITs have overseas campuses. IIT Madras operates in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and IIT Delhi runs a campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Both were inaugurated recently and mark the beginning of the IITs’ global footprint.

2. Which is the first IIT campus abroad?

The first IIT campus abroad was IIT Madras Zanzibar, inaugurated on 6 November 2023. It was the pioneer in taking Indian higher education overseas under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework.

3. Which is the new IIT in foreign?

The newest overseas IIT is IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi, officially opened on 2 September 2024. It is currently operating from a transit campus at Zayed University, with a permanent facility under development.

4. How many IITs are there in a country?

India itself has 23 IITs spread across different states, forming the backbone of its premier technical education system. Abroad, there are currently two operational campuses (Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi), with more proposals under discussion.

5. Does NEP 2020 encourage Indian universities abroad?

Yes. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 encourages Indian universities, including IITs, to establish campuses overseas. It also allows top foreign universities to set up campuses in India, thereby promoting internationalisation and global collaboration in higher education.