India is currently hosting more than 80 German universities and research institutions, marking a major step in strengthening academic and research partnerships between the two nations. This significant collaboration is highlighted by a series of key events, including high-level visits to Indian universities, the inauguration of the German School of Technology at PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, the APAIE Conference 2025, and the Indo-German Forum on Research, Innovation, and Transfer in New Delhi. These activities also celebrate the 65th anniversary of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in India and its 100-year legacy of fostering international academic cooperation.
German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Dr. Philipp Ackermann, expressed his enthusiasm for the growing Indo-German educational partnership. "The Indo-German partnership in science and education is one of the building blocks of our bilateral ties. It is a pleasure to see this exchange grow so dynamically, from year to year," he said in a press release. Dr. Ackermann also noted that nearly 50,000 Indian students are currently studying in Germany, making them the largest group of foreign students in the country.
A major highlight of this collaboration is the ongoing Higher Education Policy Information visit, which began on March 16 and will continue until March 22. This event brings together 20 leaders from top German universities and academic representatives, focusing on building new academic partnerships and strengthening existing ones. The visit includes stops in Hyderabad and New Delhi.
Meanwhile, representatives from German Universities of Applied Sciences are gathering in Coimbatore for the inauguration of the German School of Technology. This new institution is set to play a key role in advancing technological education in India and deepening India-Germany academic ties.
The Indo-German Forum on Research, Innovation, and Transfer, to be held in New Delhi, will further boost collaboration between the two countries. The forum will bring together 250 representatives from higher education and research institutions to explore new opportunities in education and research. The event is organized by DWIH New Delhi, the German Centre for Research and Innovation, and the DAAD.
Dr. Katja Lasch, Director of DAAD New Delhi, emphasized the importance of the growing participation of over 80 German institutions in India, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing educational and research partnerships. "This engagement demonstrates a shared dedication to enhancing ties between the two countries", she says.
India and Germany have a long history of cooperation in higher education, research, and technology. Over the years, the Indo-German partnership has significantly expanded, supported by high-level diplomatic visits and soft power diplomacy. The collaboration took a major step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University Grants Commission (UGC) and DAAD in 2013, establishing the Indo-German Program (IGP), which has further strengthened the relationship.
Since 2015, both countries have invested €3.5 million into joint educational initiatives, which were extended by a 2019 agreement during Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit. The agreement included a joint research program in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Key collaborative efforts include joint research projects, personnel exchange programs, and the establishment of Indo-German Max Planck Centers, which facilitate student and researcher mobility, particularly in science and technology fields.
Additionally, India and Germany have worked together on numerous research projects since 2010 through initiatives such as the Indo-German Science and Technology Center (IGSTC), which supports industrial research and innovation in sectors like medical biotechnology, environmental science, and agriculture.
Programs like the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) and Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) further strengthen academic exchanges, while the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) promotes long-term collaborations between Indian and international institutions.
As educational and research cooperation continues to grow, the partnership between India and Germany is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of academia and research in both countries.
