The Maharashtra government is inviting universities to establish campuses in “Third Mumbai” – a new urban development planned on the outskirts of Navi Mumbai, a planned city in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The announcement was made by Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, at a US-India Business Council event in India’s financial capital.
We will be creating Edu City in this new Mumbai. We have entered into an agreement with five foreign universities, which are in the top 50 ranks globally
Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra chief minister
“We will be creating Edu City in this new Mumbai. We have entered into an agreement with five foreign universities, which are in the top 50 ranks globally,” stated Fadnavis.
“We have invited them to set up campuses here. Of the five, three universities are from the United States of America, and one each from Australia and the United Kingdom.”
The Maharashtra government has not yet disclosed which universities may be involved, but a spokesperson told The PIE that formal agreements will be signed only after the required approvals are secured from the University Grants Commission and all procedural steps are completed.
Speaking to The PIE News, a Mumbai-based consultant, who did not wish to be named, described Mumbai as a “strategic and logical” choice for an international campus.
However, the consultant went on to highlight the city’s growing challenges, particularly pollution and traffic congestion.
“For such a project to truly succeed, it must prioritise accessibility for students while carefully considering infrastructure demands and affordability,” they told The PIE.
Mumbai is poised to follow in the footsteps of GIFT City and Gurgaon in creating opportunities for international universities to establish campuses in India.
Australian universities Deakin and the University of Wollongong have already established campuses in GIFT City, while the University of Southampton is set to open its own campus in August 2025 at a tech park in Gurgaon, which will mark the first such initiative under the University Grants Commission’s 2023 regulations for international branch campuses in India.
More UK universities are expected to follow suit, although some have faced criticism over their plans, which are unfolding amid reductions in research funding and staffing cuts.
Although no US universities have officially signed agreements to open campuses in India, a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump saw advocacy for offshore campuses by American institutions in India.
The discussions also emphasised strengthening educational ties between the two countries through joint or dual degree programs, twinning arrangements, and joint centers of excellence.
“US universities are focusing on offering programs in technology, engineering, business management, data science, and healthcare, areas that align with India’s developmental goals,” said Aritra Ghosal, founder and director, OneStep Global.
“The campuses are expected to be structured around research, innovation, and global collaboration, providing students with both local and international academic exposure.”
According to Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director, Career Mosaic, international universities planning to operate in India, especially in the form of a campus, need a “clear regulatory framework” that helps them maintain their autonomy and provide quality education in the country.
“Starting with postgraduate programs or 1+1 models – where students begin in India and finish abroad – can appeal to those seeking international exposure. Infrastructure readiness, seamless administrative support, and cultural integration are key,” stated Zaveri.
“US and UK universities can begin with urban satellite campuses, bringing in global faculty. Such models balance affordability and quality, especially appealing for Indian families navigating rising study-abroad costs.”
The rising cost of living in India and abroad has led to a major shift in study abroad choices for Indian students, with 2024 seeing a 15% drop in the number of outbound students from the country.
Still in its early stages, Third Mumbai is set to take shape around the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, slated to open in May.
Positioned at the eastern end of the Atal Setu – connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai – the new urban development will be known as Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town.
