Decline in Indian Students Going Abroad for Higher Education
Recent data shared by the Ministry of Education reveals a concerning trend – the number of Indian students opting to pursue higher education abroad has been steadily decreasing over the past three years. In response to a written question in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar highlighted this downward trajectory.
According to the statistics provided by Majumdar, the count of Indian students heading overseas for studies was over 9.08 lakh in 2023. However, this figure dropped to 7.7 lakh in 2024 and further declined to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
The data is sourced from the Union Home Ministry’s Bureau of Immigration (BoI) for the period spanning from 2023 to 2025. Majumdar emphasized that the decision to study abroad is a personal choice influenced by various factors such as financial feasibility, access to educational loans, exposure to different cultures, and academic preferences.
Recognizing the significance of a skilled diaspora in the global workforce, the government is keen on leveraging the potential of Indian expatriates for the nation’s benefit. The Minister asserted that the government is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education within the country, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Under NEP 2020, several initiatives have been implemented to elevate the standard of higher education in India. These include infrastructure upgrades, accreditation reinforcement, research and innovation promotion, and the expansion of digital education initiatives.
To provide world-class education domestically, the government has permitted foreign universities to establish campuses in India. Currently, 14 foreign institutions have received approval for this, with five overseas universities authorized to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
It is evident that the government’s efforts are geared towards nurturing a knowledgeable and skilled workforce within the country while also fostering collaborations with international educational institutions for mutual growth and development.
