Indian students going abroad for higher education drop 31% in two years

Data shared by the Ministry of Education in the Rajya Sabha show a steady decline in the number of Indian students going abroad for higher education over the past three years.

According to a written reply by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, 9.08 lakh Indians went overseas for studies in 2023. The figure fell to 7.7 lakh in 2024 and further to 6.26 lakh in 2025.

The numbers, based on Bureau of Immigration records under the Union Home Ministry, track those who declared “study/education” as their purpose of travel. The overall drop between 2023 and 2025 is nearly 31%.

In Parliament, the Minister said overseas education is a matter of “individual will and choice,” shaped by affordability, access to education loans, exposure to foreign societies, and suitability for particular disciplines.

He added that the government sees value in a globally placed Indian workforce and considers the diaspora an asset.

While the response did not cite specific reasons for the decline, several major study destinations have tightened student visa norms and revised post-study work rules in recent years.

Financial eligibility requirements and application scrutiny have also increased in countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Cost factors remain significant. Higher tuition fees, rising living expenses, and currency fluctuations have raised the overall expense of studying abroad. Families are weighing these costs against employment prospects after graduation.

The Ministry also pointed to reforms in domestic higher education under the National Education Policy 2020.

Efforts have focused on strengthening infrastructure, improving accreditation systems, promoting research, and expanding digital learning to make Indian institutions more competitive.

Parliament was informed that 14 foreign universities have been approved to establish campuses in India, and five overseas institutions have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat, offering international programs within the country.

Even as total outbound numbers decline, students are exploring alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France, where tuition levels and work pathways may be more favorable.