India is one the emerging economies. The young demographic profile is an opportunity for India to accelerate the economic growth. Higher education has a crucial role to play in the development of economy by developing human capital. The Indian higher education sector has not utilised its full potential except few islands of excellence. Culture influences higher education. India inherited higher education system established before independence by a culturally different ruler. Despite several decades of independence India is still following the same pre-independence higher education system. The paper explores the cultural misfit of Indian higher education with Indian values and culture. Exploratory research design is used for the paper. It is found that cultural integration is needed to make Indian higher education inclusive and relevant for the society.