The number of Indian students traveling overseas for higher education has experienced a significant decline over the past three fiscal years according to new official statistics released by the Ministry of Education. Data presented to the Rajya Sabha indicates a steady downward trend in the volume of students seeking degrees in foreign jurisdictions as the domestic educational landscape undergoes structural shifts. The information was formally shared by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar in a written response to parliamentary inquiries regarding the mobility of Indian scholars and the impact of recent policy changes.
According to the comprehensive statistics provided by the Minister the number of Indian nationals who traveled abroad for the purpose of higher studies stood at over 9.08 lakh in 2023. This figure saw a marked reduction in the subsequent year dropping to approximately 7.7 lakh in 2024. The downward trajectory continued into the most recent tracking cycle with the total number of outbound students falling to 6.26 lakh in 2025. This represents a cumulative decline of roughly thirty one percent over a two year period. These figures were compiled based on data maintained by the Bureau of Immigration under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs which tracks the specific purpose of travel for Indian citizens at various points of departure.
In his briefing to the upper house of Parliament Minister Majumdar noted that the decision to pursue an education in a foreign country remains a matter of individual will and personal choice. He emphasized that these decisions are typically contingent upon a wide variety of socio economic factors including the overall affordability of international programs the accessibility of specialized bank loans and the personal aptitude of students for specific branches of study. Furthermore the minister acknowledged that exposure to foreign societies and the perceived value of international credentials play a role in the decision making process for many families.
The government maintains a nuanced perspective on the migration of students and professionals noting that the administration recognizes the reality of an increasingly globalized workplace. Minister Majumdar stated that in the current era of the knowledge economy a successful and prosperous expatriate community is viewed as a significant asset for the nation. The official stance suggests that Indian students who find success abroad contribute to the countrys global influence and soft power. The government continues to focus efforts on harnessing the potential of this diaspora including the systematic sharing of knowledge and technical expertise between overseas professionals and domestic institutions.
Despite the historical prestige associated with foreign degrees the recent data suggests a cooling of the trend which analysts attribute to several converging factors. While the minister did not explicitly link the decline to specific economic pressures or geopolitical shifts he did highlight the proactive measures the Indian government has taken to enhance the quality of local academic institutions. The implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 has served as the primary framework for these domestic improvements. The policy aims to overhaul the Indian education system to make it more competitive with international standards thereby potentially retaining more students who might otherwise have sought education in the United Kingdom the United States Canada or Australia.
Under the National Education Policy the government has initiated multiple steps to improve the overall infrastructure of Indian universities and colleges. This includes a heavy focus on strengthening accreditation processes to ensure that degrees from Indian institutions carry more weight both domestically and internationally. There has also been a concerted effort to promote research and innovation through increased funding and the establishment of digital education initiatives. By expanding the reach of high quality digital learning the government hopes to provide world class instruction to students who may face geographical or financial barriers to traditional campus based learning.
A central component of the strategy to keep Indian talent within the country involves the internationalization of domestic education. Minister Majumdar revealed that the government has actively encouraged foreign universities to establish satellite campuses within India. This move is designed to offer students the prestige and curriculum of a global education without the necessity of relocating to a different country. According to the latest figures fourteen foreign institutions have already received the necessary approvals to set up operations in India. Additionally five overseas universities have been cleared to operate specifically within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City commonly known as GIFT City which serves as a specialized economic zone for high level financial and educational services.
The decrease in outbound student numbers also coincides with a period of changing immigration landscapes in several popular destination countries. Many nations that have traditionally hosted large numbers of Indian students have recently implemented stricter visa regulations and higher financial requirements for international applicants. These external factors combined with the rising cost of living in Western metropolitan areas have made the prospect of foreign study less accessible for a segment of the Indian middle class. When coupled with the expansion of high quality options within the Indian borders the value proposition of an overseas degree is being reevaluated by many prospective students.
The Ministry of Education continues to monitor these trends as part of its broader mandate to ensure that the Indian workforce remains competitive in the global market. While the decline in numbers marks a notable shift in migration patterns the government maintains that the goal is not to restrict movement but to provide a robust alternative that meets the aspirations of young Indians. The integration of foreign faculty and international curricula into the Indian system is expected to continue as more partnerships between domestic and international universities are formalized in the coming years.
The Bureau of Immigration data serves as a critical barometer for the success of these educational reforms. As the infrastructure within India continues to evolve the Ministry of Education expects a more balanced flow of students where the choice to study abroad is driven by specific academic needs rather than a lack of quality options at home. The government remains committed to supporting the Indian diaspora while simultaneously building a world class educational hub that can attract both domestic students and international scholars to Indian shores.
Further details regarding the specific countries seeing the largest drops in Indian enrollment were not detailed in this particular parliamentary response but education consultants have noted similar trends in major markets. The shifting dynamics of the knowledge economy suggest that the location of the classroom may become less important than the quality of the network and the specific skills acquired. As India continues to implement the provisions of the National Education Policy the long term impact on international student mobility will likely remain a key area of focus for policymakers and educators alike.
Indian Students Going Abroad Drop Thirty One Percent Over Two Years
