Choosing where to study abroad can feel overwhelming, especially with so many countries competing for your attention. You want a good education, a fair price, and a place that feels welcoming. For a growing number of students, that search is now leading straight to India.
Each year, around 6.9 million students enrol abroad, according to UNESCO. India’s share has historically been small, just 46,000 international students from 170 countries in 2021-22, compared with the scale of higher education in India, with over 800 universities and 35 million students. That gap is exactly what India’s policymakers have been working to close.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 set a clear goal: make India a serious, affordable study destination for the world. The Study in India (SII) program turned that into a practical reality, with certified courses, simplified admissions, and real scholarships for eligible applicants. The result is rising interest in study in India pathways, with students now arriving from the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe, and North America.
Shoolini University is right inside this shift, as a certified SII host institution backed by a No. 1 private university ranking. Its research profile is also drawing international attention on its own strength. This piece looks at why that momentum is building, and what it means for you.
More International Students in India: Here’s Why
The Study in India (SII) program is driving much of this shift, and Shoolini University is an eligible host institution under it. That means students from the Middle East, Africa, and SAARC countries can apply for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses via the SII portal. As a certified institution, Shoolini also organises and takes part in educational activities across SII’s certified countries.
Within India’s wider higher education system, Shoolini has carved out a distinct position. Founded in 2009 in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, it holds NAAC A+ accreditation with a CGPA of 3.33. It also offers more than 180 courses across engineering, biotechnology, management, and the sciences. That gives international applicants a wide range of programs on one campus.
How Shoolini Compares With Top Universities in India
When people search for Indian universities for international students, the IITs, IISc Bangalore, Delhi University, and Banaras Hindu University usually top the list. All of these rank within the global top 500. But among the top universities in India, Shoolini has climbed fast. It is India’s No. 1 private university for the fourth year running, and is placed 452nd in the world and 10th in India overall in the QS World University Rankings 2027, making it the only Indian private university in the global Top 500. It also ranks No. 3 in India for both Engineering and Life Sciences in the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and is No. 1 in Asia for Citations per Paper in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026.
This research strength goes beyond the ranking tables. Shoolini runs 11 Centres of Excellence spanning biotechnology, AI, nanotechnology, and energy sciences. It has also crossed 2,000 total intellectual property applications, including over 1,200 utility patents. Nineteen of its scientists appear on Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, giving international students access to serious research depth.
Shoolini’s Study in India Scholarship
Shoolini backs its SII role with substantial funding, offering a scholarship worth USD 3,500 per student per year. This covers tuition fees, accommodation, and canteen costs, meaningfully lowering the overall cost of studying abroad. The scholarship is awarded based on performance in PRAGATII, the standardised online exam used to select students for SII scholarships.
Scholarship duration is tied to the course itself: 5 years for undergraduate integrated courses, and 3 or 4 years for regular undergraduate courses. For postgraduate courses, it runs 2 years or until course completion, whichever comes first. For students weighing the benefits of studying in India, this kind of structured funding is a strong reason Shoolini keeps coming up.
The Benefits of Studying in India, the Shoolini Way
Affordability tops most lists when students weigh the benefits of studying in India, and Shoolini fits that pattern closely. Tuition and living costs stay well below comparable programs in the US, UK, or Australia. What sets the experience apart is the infrastructure behind that price. The campus houses an XR and AI Research Centre equipped with Meta Quest 2 headsets, along with an AI and Robotics Centre built with Sirena Technologies. An AWS Academy partnership lets students earn industry certifications as part of their degree.
International collaborations add another layer. Partnerships with Ikigai Lab (IIT Kanpur), IBM, Algo8.AI, and AADDOO.AI bring current industry tools into coursework, while faculty trained at the IITs, Oxford, PEC, and the IIMs carry an international academic perspective into the classroom.
Life on Shoolini’s Hill Campus
For most students, campus life means residential housing, clubs, festivals, and a real mix of cultures. Student life in India offers all of that, and Shoolini’s setting adds something distinct — a hill campus in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, a quieter alternative to the country’s larger metro cities. On-campus housing, labs, and libraries support day-to-day academics.
Career readiness runs through the SPRINT™ Bootcamp, short for Skill Progression through Rapid, Intensive & Innovative Training. Inspired by Stanford’s mini-MBA format, it runs every semester, covering CV building, mock interviews, and general professional preparation.
Career Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Career opportunities at Shoolini are structured through internships with Deloitte, KPMG, ICICI Bank, and Amazon, while regular masterclasses and industrial visits connect coursework to industry practice. This links directly to global education opportunities. Shoolini’s Sustainability Impact Ratings performance stands out here, placed in the global Top 200 for the fifth consecutive year — a reflection of its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a research focus that resonates with international students looking beyond rankings.
Scholarships extend beyond Shoolini’s own SII program, with bodies like the ICCR and Commonwealth Program offering support to eligible international applicants. Recognition agreements matter as well: India and Australia signed a mutual recognition of qualifications pact in 2023.
Why Study in India in 2026
So, why study in India in 2026? Three things: affordability, research strength, and growing global recognition. Shoolini brings all three together, pairing a Top 500 global standing with fees and living costs far below Western alternatives. Its One Student, One Patent policy pushes every student to develop a patentable idea while on campus, turning research from a spectator subject into daily practice. Add dedicated AI and research centres, structured internships, and a quiet hill campus that most metro universities cannot match, and the appeal is clear.
If you are deciding where to apply, start with Shoolini. Applications for the upcoming intake are open on the Shoolini University website.
Sources
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, outbound internationally mobile students data
- Ministry of Education, Government of India, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Study in India (SII) program, official portal: https://www.studyinindia.gov.in
- QS World University Rankings 2027, official release, 18 June 2026: https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings
- QS Asia University Rankings 2026, announced 4 November 2025
- THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, released 22 January 2026
- THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, announced 24 June 2026
- NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), accreditation records
- Stanford University / Elsevier, World’s Top 2% Scientists list
- India-Australia Mutual Recognition Arrangement on educational qualifications, 2023
- Shoolini University, official admissions and scholarship pages: https://shooliniuniversity.com
FAQs
Q1. Is India a good destination for international students?
Yes. India offers affordable, globally ranked education and multicultural campuses. Universities like Shoolini add strong research credentials and dedicated international student support to that picture.
Q2. What are the visa requirements for studying in India?
You'll need an admission letter, proof of financial support, a passport valid for 6+ months, photos, and a bank statement. FRRO registration is required within 14 days of arrival.
Q3. What are the benefits of studying in India as an international student?
Lower tuition and living costs, English-medium instruction, and access to research infrastructure all stand out. At Shoolini, eligible students can also access the SII scholarship worth USD 3,500 per year.
Q4. Which are the best universities in India for international students?
The IITs, IISc Bangalore, Delhi University, and Banaras Hindu University lead the list. Shoolini University is also ranked the No. 1 private university in India for the fourth consecutive year.
Q5. How can international students apply to Indian universities?
You can apply directly to the university, or through the Study in India portal, then secure an admission letter. After that, apply for a Student Visa at your nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
Q6. Are Indian degrees recognised internationally?
They are. Indian universities are recognised by the UGC and accredited by NAAC, and Shoolini holds a NAAC A+ grade. Agreements like the 2023 India-Australia qualifications pact support wider international acceptance as well.
Q7. Why should international students choose India for higher education?
India combines cost-effective, respected programs with a rich cultural experience. Shoolini builds on this with research depth, modern labs, and structured career support.
