The following paper highlights the political, economic, socio-cultural, ethical, philosophical, legal, and practical aspects of the far-reaching theme of international trends in private higher education, in general. It also focuses on the driving forces, causes and consequences of the emergence of private higher education in India during the last three decades, in particular. Though there has been more acceptance of private higher education institutions in India today than the "trepidation" felt at their emergence three decades ago, certain basic questions about its role remain. Is the presence of the private sector in higher education inevitable? Is it desirable? Besides focusing on certain basic issues at stake, this paper discusses at length the role of judiciary in private higher education in India. (Contains 5 tables and 2 figures.)