Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Education‑as‑a‑Service (EaaS) Speaking at the Vice‑Chancellors’ Conclave on “Reimagining Internationalisation of Higher Education for Viksit Bharat 2047 ”, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Education as a Service (EaaS) for enhancing export revenues and projecting Indian higher education worldwide. Key Developments Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with the IIFT , will explore EaaS models to increase foreign student inflow. Emphasis on dual‑degree programmes, allowing students to split study time between Indian and foreign universities. Call for reforms in curricula to include subjects like international trade, FTAs and emerging technologies (AI, quantum computing). Goal to reverse the current 28:1 ratio of Indian students abroad to foreign students in India, targeting 1.3 million inbound students. Integration of international campuses and cross‑border exchanges under the NEP 2020 . Important Facts The government has concluded nine FTAs with developed economies, reflecting a shift from a ‘colonial mindset’ to confident global engagement. Goyal noted that developing nations like India are poised to become future growth engines, making exposure to India valuable for students from advanced economies. NEP 2020 was drafted after receiving close to three lakh inputs from stakeholders, signalling a consultative approach. The policy permits foreign universities to set up campuses in India and encourages joint programmes, aiming to raise the global competitiveness of Indian institutions. UPSC Relevance Understanding EaaS links directly to GS 3 (Economy) as it treats education as a tradable service, contributing to export earnings and the services sector’s share in GDP. The discussion on FTAs, international trade curricula, and technology integration aligns with topics on trade policy, globalisation and skill development. The role of Vice Chancellors underscores governance challenges in higher education, a recurring theme in GS 2 . Finally, the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 ties into long‑term planning and policy continuity, pertinent for essay and answer writing. Way Forward Formulate a dedicated Education‑as‑Service strategy under the Ministry of Commerce, with clear export targets. Encourage universities to design modular, credit‑transferable programmes compatible with foreign institutions. Incorporate modules on international trade law, FTAs and emerging tech in undergraduate curricula. Strengthen accreditation mechanisms to assure quality for inbound students. Facilitate public‑private partnerships to upgrade infrastructure and promote research collaborations. By aligning higher‑education reforms with trade policy and global standards, India can transform its education sector into a robust export earner and a magnet for international talent, supporting the broader goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.