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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated that all foreign nationals studying in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must now register on the newly launched Study in India (SII) portal. The move seeks to centralise data, streamline admission and visa processes, and strengthen compliance monitoring for international students studying in India.

Background and Context

Until now, foreign students seeking admission in Indian universities had to apply directly to individual institutions, which also facilitated their visa processes. However, the absence of a centralised database made it difficult for authorities to track foreign student numbers, monitor visa compliance, and address instances of overstaying or misuse of study visas.

To overcome these challenges, the Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the UGC, has introduced the Study in India portal as a digital one-stop platform integrating admissions, visa processing, and compliance tracking.

About the Study in India (SII) Portal

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India
• Implementing Agency: University Grants Commission (UGC)
• Objective: To promote India as a global education hub and simplify access for international students seeking to study in Indian higher education institutions.

Key Features

• Single-Window Digital Platform:
  • Acts as a unified interface for application submission, admission processing, and student visa facilitation.
  • Enables foreign students to explore regular, short-term, and long-term courses across Indian universities and HEIs.
• Comprehensive Academic Directory:
  • Lists undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes available in participating institutions.
  • Includes courses from the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) — such as Yoga, Ayurveda, classical music, and traditional arts — highlighting India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
• Unique SII-ID Generation:
  • Upon registration, each student receives a unique SII-ID, which must be quoted while applying for the student visa.
  • The visa process is now directly linked to the SII portal, ensuring authenticity and easier tracking.
• Institutional Accountability:
  • HEIs admitting foreign students must appoint a Compliance Officer to oversee adherence to all SII guidelines and data-reporting requirements.
  • Institutions are required to update foreign student details regularly on the portal for regulatory oversight.
• Information Gateway:Provides details about academic facilities, research opportunities, campus infrastructure, and student support services to guide prospective applicants.