With a growing number of overseas universities setting up campuses at GIFT City, students from across India and abroad are showing keen interest in studying there. However, aspiring candidates often face difficulties as they have to approach multiple universities separately to gather admission-related information before choosing a course or institution.
To streamline this process, GIFT City has introduced a single, centralised admission query system that will serve as a credible first point of contact for students. The initiative aims to bring greater clarity, consistency and confidence for those considering GIFT City as an education destination, officials said.
Currently, at least five universities from Australia and the UK are operational at GIFT City and are expected to begin academic activities from early 2026. Officials noted that universities located in the domestic tariff area are regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), while institutions within the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) fall under the academic and operational framework of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). While this dual regulatory structure allows global alignment and flexibility, it can be confusing for prospective students, especially international applicants and first-time domestic candidates.
An official explained that GIFT City’s education ecosystem is still in a formative phase, with campuses launching in stages and institutions following different academic models. At this stage, student interest is more destination-driven than institution-driven, with common queries focusing on degree recognition, regulatory approvals, visa options, campus infrastructure, accommodation, student life and the overall academic environment.
In the absence of a unified coordination mechanism, such queries were being handled separately by individual universities, often leading to duplication of effort and inconsistent information. This highlighted the need for a single-window system to address admission-related queries at the ecosystem level.
The centralised mechanism will provide accurate and up-to-date information on universities operating at GIFT City, programme offerings, intake timelines, applicable regulatory frameworks, degree recognition and the overall positioning of GIFT City as a global education hub. It will also address common destination-level queries related to student housing, shared campus facilities, transport connectivity, safety, lifestyle and student support services.
Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director and Group CEO of GIFT City, said the centralised admissions coordination system is designed to simplify and enhance the student journey without affecting the academic autonomy of individual universities. He added that the initiative will improve outreach efficiency for institutions while offering students a clear, consistent and student-friendly information platform aligned with global best practices.