The long-standing craze among Indian students to study abroad has begun to wane, as evidenced by recent statistics presented by the central government in the Parliament. Over the past three years, there
has been a significant drop in the number of Indian students seeking higher education overseas. In 2023, more than 9 lakh students went abroad for their studies, but by 2025, this number had decreased to about 6.26 lakh, indicating a 31% decline.
Data shared by the Ministry of Education underscores this trend. According to the Bureau of Immigration, the number of Indian students going abroad for higher education has steadily declined from 9,08,364 in 2023 to 7,70,127 in 2024, and further to 6,26,606 in 2025.
Several factors are driving this shift. Stricter visa regulations in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia have made it more challenging for Indian students to gain entry. Additionally, the rising costs of education and living abroad, coupled with the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and pound, have made studying abroad less financially viable for many middle-class families. Concerns about the safety of international students, especially in countries where incidents of discrimination and attacks have increased, also play a role.
In response, the Indian government has been working to improve the quality of higher education within the country. Under the National Education Policy 2020, foreign universities are now allowed to establish campuses in India. As of now, 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up branches, and five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat. This initiative enables Indian students to earn global degrees without leaving the country, reducing their need to study abroad.
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, in response to a written question in Rajya Sabha, highlighted that studying abroad is a matter of personal choice influenced by factors like affordability, bank loan access, exposure to foreign cultures, and aptitude for specific fields of study. He acknowledged the importance of a successful diaspora for India and emphasized the government’s efforts to harness their potential, including sharing knowledge and expertise.
The Indian government’s multiple initiatives under NEP 2020 aim to enhance the quality of higher education domestically through infrastructure upgrades, strengthened accreditation, promotion of research and innovation, and expansion of digital education initiatives. These efforts are designed to offer global-quality education within India, reducing the need for students to seek education abroad.
