Operationalizing Innovation in Indian Higher Education: Comparative Insights from Global Models

This paper examines the implementation of the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and the National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP) in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), situating them within global innovation and entrepreneurship development frameworks. Drawing on design thinking literature (Brown, 2009; Liedtka & Ogilvie, 2011; Kumar, 2019; IDEO.org, 2020; Razzouk & Shute, 2012; OECD, 2022, 2023) and policy reports (NEP 2020, NITI Aayog 2023, Startup India 2024), the study highlights how Indian HEIs are evolving into innovation-driven ecosystems. Comparative analysis with models from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Singapore, and China reveals convergences and divergences in institutional innovation strategies. A hierarchical regression model is proposed to empirically assess the impact of IIC and NISP implementation on measurable outcomes such as patents, startups, and incubation activities.