Economic Survey 2026: Make India ‘education tourism’ hub; offer international students Ayurveda, yoga courses

Introduction of summer schools, semester-abroad modules, providing yoga and Ayurveda certificates, rural immersion labs and heritage and philosophy tracks bundled with tourism certificates are some of the proposals from the Economic Survey 2025-26 to promote internationalisation in higher education.

The survey tabled in parliament on Thursday, however, also highlights that while promoting internationalisation, there is a need to pay heed to the working of market forces as it “might lead to a general increase in the cost of education, excessive commercialisation or exclusion of marginalised, as also to the risk of overemphasis on borrowed knowledge systems that may undermine indigenous/ local traditions”.

Further the survey also states that there are challenges in fostering academia industry collaboration through schemes such as professor-of-practice (POP). On NIRF, it observes that South India and Delhi have a concentration of top-ranked institutions, while northern and central states lag, with few in the top 100.

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Economic Survey 2026: Summer school, yoga, Ayurveda

There is a need to promote internationalisation as per the survey since inbound students in India increased from under 7,000 in 2000-01 to around 49,000 in 2020, just before the pandemic; however, this represents only about 0.10% of total higher education enrolment.

“...It is far below leading host countries where international students form 10- 40% of enrolments. In 2024, for every one international student coming to India, 28 Indian students went abroad, with significant associated foreign exchange costs. Annual outward remittance under the ‘studies abroad’ component has increased to USD 3.4 billion in FY24,” the survey added.

The Indian students abroad are mostly in countries such as Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia.

Suggesting strategies, the survey adds, “Programme diversification beyond full degrees, such as summer schools, semester-abroad modules, heritage and philosophy tracks, yoga and Ayurveda certificates, and innovation or rural-immersion labs, can be bundled with tourism circuits and tailored for BRICS and wider Global South partners.”

It also suggests that top Indian HEIs should institutionalise two-way exchange programmes and offer joint, dual, or twinning degrees and ensure institutional and ecosystem reforms such as proper housing, health, counselling, insurance, and visa services.

On the part of the government, the reforms include simplifying regulations such as faster visas, post-study internships, recognition of prior learning, and flexible credits.

It also suggests “leveraging alumni and start-up ecosystems through embassies and incubators, while building regional networks in STEAM3 areas (STEM, including Arts, Management, and Medicine). Given the increasing visa and enrollment restrictions in the advanced countries, it is a timely opportunity for India to develop a tailored branding, communication, and outreach strategy to attract inbound students to India.”

UGC issued the Regulations on Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions, 2022, enabling Indian HEIs to offer twinning, joint, and dual degree programmes with reputed foreign universities. Further, 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) is allowed in higher education. There is also the Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations, 2023, under which 15 foreign HEIs are expected to set up campuses in India.

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Economic Survey PDF: Refresh regional value proposition

The Economic Survey 2026 also suggests that building an education ecosystem will provide international students from the global south with opportunities for education and research of global standards at affordable costs.

India remains the principal host within South Asia, attracting over four-fifths of all inbound students to the sub-region in 2023, largely from neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

“However, India’s South Asian share has fallen by several percentage points since 2011, indicating rising competition from other regional and extra-regional destinations and signalling the need to refresh its regional value proposition,” the survey adds.

Economic Survey 2025-26: Excessive commercialisation

The Economic Survey 2026 states, “Caution must be heeded to the working of market forces that might lead to a general increase in the cost of education, excessive commercialisation or exclusion of marginalised, as also to the risk of overemphasis on borrowed knowledge systems that may undermine indigenous/ local traditions.”

It adds that the limitations of the existing regulatory framework may spill over, leading to more complexities in governance.

“Building on existing initiatives, a measured focus on internationalisation can enhance the international mobility of students to India. Strengthening the quality, accessibility, and global alignment of India’s higher education ecosystem would develop India as a global hub for education and research,” the survey adds.

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India Economic Survey: Industry-academic collaboration

Quoting the TeamLease Edtech report, the survey highlights the gap between industry requirements and the industry-ready institutes in India.

“A recent TeamLease Edtech report showed that 75% of HEIs lack industry-readiness. This is reflected in placement outcomes, with only 16.7% of HEIs achieving 76-100% placements within six months of graduation. Only 25% of HEIs make use of live industry projects, while 26% have internship integration. Compounding these challenges, as of January 31, 2025, 56.2% of professor posts remain vacant in Central Universities and other HEIs,” it states.

Talking about the University Grants Commission’s initiative of Professor of Practice, it points out: “..challenges remain, such as a lack of motivation among industry leaders to join academia due to short tenure (typically up to three years, extendable to four), the disqualification of retired academicians from applying as PoP, and rather strict eligibility criteria for appointment. These are areas which can be further reformed.”

Over 18,000 experts have registered as PoP at 536 institutes as per UGC.

It complements the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)-Industry Fellowship Programme.

“By immersing faculty members in cutting-edge industrial environments, the programme seeks to equip them with modern industry insights, fostering their ability to deliver industry-relevant education. This initiative will eventually improve students' employability and industry readiness. As a pilot project, the scheme will train 350 faculty members in the 2025-26 academic year, with plans to expand to 1,500 participants annually over 3–5 years,” the report added.