New Delhi — Following the lead of India’s higher-education minister, the country’s chief university regulator has ruled out profit making for Indian and foreign institutions in guidelines for international academic collaborations, The Hindu reported.

Sukhdeo Thorat, chairman of the University Grants Commission, also said he planned to develop specific rules for joint degree programs between Indian and foreign universities.

Eager to get into India’s lucrative higher-education market but not permitted to do so independently, at least 130 foreign universities have forged collaborations with local private institutions, which are mostly unaccredited.

“India does not believe in commercial gain in this endeavor, as our ultimate aim is the strict adherence to human rights in terms of providing education to the needy,” Mr. Thorat said.

In May the higher-education minister, Arjun Singh, said India doesn’t want “third-grade” Western universities or other foreign institutions that aren’t interested in complying with the country’s higher-education regulations. —Shailaja Neelakantan