In 2023, an Internationally reputed Australian university, Deakin University established an International Branch Campus (IBC) in Gujarat International Finance Tee-City after receiving approval from the International Fina

CS Professional · IFSCA - Regulations, Listing and Compliances · PYQS · June 2026
In 2023, an Internationally reputed Australian university, Deakin University established an International Branch Campus (IBC) in Gujarat International Finance Tee-City after receiving approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority under the IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses) Regulations, 2022. The campus was initially permitted to offer the following postgraduate programs: Master of Business Analytics, Master of Cyber Security, Master of Financial Technology. The University promoted the campus as a global education hub integrated with the financial services ecosystem of GIFT City. Within three years of operations, several regulatory and legal issues emerged. In 2026, the university launched a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Media Studies without prior approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority. The university justified this decision by arguing that Global Universities require academic autonomy and interdisciplinary programs to enhance student learning. However, several stakeholders argued that such programs were not related to financial services, fintech, or technology, which are the primary focus of educational activities within GIFT City. The university also charged tuition fees in US dollars, arguing that International Branch Campuses operate within a Global Financial Ecosystem Some Indian students complained that currency fluctuations significantly increased the cost of their education. They filed a complaint before the International Financial Services Centres Authority claiming the fee structure was unfair. Students enrolled in the Master of Financial Technology program claimed that the curriculum taught at the GIFT City campus differed significantly from the program offered at the university's main campus in Australia. Students alleged that: fewer research modules were offered, certain advanced courses were omitted, faculty expertise was limited. The university also recruited several professors from Europe and the United States to teach specialized courses. During a compliance inspection, it was discovered that some faculty members were working on short-term business visas instead of employment visas. In view of the above scenario, answer the following questions: Charging fees in foreign currency is legally permissible or not. Whether the university has violated academic equivalence requirements.

Answer & Explanation:

As per IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022, all transactions undertaken by the International Branch Campuses (IBC) and Offshore Education Centres (OEC) shall be in freely convertible foreign currency only. However, Institutions must ensure full transparency and prior disclosure of all financial obligations to students. Charging fees in foreign currency is legally permissible provided the university clearly communicates fee policies to students before admission. Further, the IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022 provides that any course or programme conducted by a registered entity in the GIFT IFSC shall be identical in all respects with the course or programme conducted by the Parent Entity in its home jurisdiction and identical degree, diploma or certificate shall be conferred upon the students of the IBC or OEC directly by the Parent Entity in the same manner as it confers to its students for the same course or programme in its home jurisdiction. In the given case, the students alleged that the curriculum of Master of Financial Technology is differed significantly from the program offered at the main campus in Australia. In this context, if substantial differences are found then the university may be required to revise the curriculum to ensure parity with the curriculum of main parent campus and a quality assurance audit may be conducted by the IFSCA.

Topics: IFSC Regulations

Open in Interactive Practice Hub · Full Practice Hub · Chapter Weightage · More in this subject

Related Questions in this Topic