UW and India
UW–Madison and India
UW–Madison and India share a longstanding relationship shaped by the movement of people, ideas, and discovery. Through internships and study abroad opportunities, international students and faculty, research and academic collaborations, and a connected base of alumni, ties to India are evident across campus. Together, these connections enrich the university community while extending UW–Madison’s reach far beyond Wisconsin, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge, build relationships, and make an impact in India and around the world.
Explore some of the connections between UW–Madison and India.
Featured Country Initiative
India is one of six countries selected for the Featured Country Initiative (FCI). The FCI celebrates the university’s international collaborations in specific locations around the globe. These collaborations include joint research and publications, student and faculty exchanges, community engagement, and creative endeavors.
By the Numbers
1,331
Students enrolled from India during AY 25-26
345
UW–Madison faculty and staff are known to be from India
70+
Students enrolled in Hindi and Urdu language courses
1,200+
Registered alumni living in India
Center for South Asia
For over 63 years, the Center for South Asia (CSA) at UW–Madison has reflected the diversity and global relevance of South Asian Studies. They organize the annual Conference on South Asia and offer a summer language institute, student organizations, and a wide variety of academic and outreach opportunities throughout the year. Additionally, CSA fosters collaboration with other area and global studies programs that explore the transnational movement of culture, people, and capital – factors crucial to understanding South Asia’s past and present.
The Center for South Asia is the focal point connecting South Asia to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is dedicated to all aspects of research, education, and outreach related to India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Featured Stories
Alumni
Bharat Biotech co-founder receives honorary degree
Often, diseases that emerge in the developing world are overlooked by researchers, with little effort going toward the development of new drugs to treat or prevent. Some of these diseases, SARS, H1N1, and Zika have captured global attention, though many others persist with little mention nor attention.
WISCONSIN IDEA
Taking the Wisconsin Idea global: TEACH in India
The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) returned to Hyderabad, India, to deliver the fourth installment of the TEACH (Training in Emergency Animal Care and Handling) program.
Students
New Study Abroad Program in South Asia
A new, semester-long study abroad program at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India beginning in the fall 2026 semester.
Alumni
Archit Gupta Creates Tax and Financial Tech Gamechanger
Archit Gupta is founder and CEO of, Clear–a leading financial software as a service platform utilized by millions throughout India.
Alumni
Bonding with a Brand
Leading Pidilite are three UW–Madison alumni: Narendrakumar Parkeh, M.S. ’63, vice chairman; Madhukar Parekh, M.S. ’69, chairman; and Apurva Parkeh ’93, whole-time director.
students
Students Reflect on Global Immersion India Program
The instructor-led study abroad program featured company and site visits, as well as interactions with leaders of government and NGOs.
UW history
India Ink
India Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ended his three-and-a-half week U.S. tour with a talk before a scholarly audience at the UW on November 4, 1949.
UW history
Biochemist Har Gobind Khorana Receives Nobel Prize
Khorana received the award for breakthroughs in the interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.
Faculty
Mou Banerjee Awarded Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize by HUP for Book The Disinherited
The Wilson Prize is awarded to authors whose work is judged to be outstanding in content, style, and mode of presentation.
India Connections
The Wisconsin Directory of Global Engagement (WiDGE) captures international activity across the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. This directory currently includes 28 formally signed, active agreements between UW–Madison and institutions in India.
