Over 7.6 Lakh Indian Students Studied Abroad Last Year, Government Data Reveals

Fast Summary

• In 2024, 7.6 lakh Indian students pursued education abroad, a slight dip from 8.95 lakh in 2023 but part of a rising five-year trend.
• Popular study destinations include the US, Canada, UK, and Germany; emerging options like Russia and Uzbekistan are also gaining traction for affordability and strong STEM programs.
• Courses in demand are primarily in STEM fields (AI, Data Science), alongside Business disciplines like finance and management.
• Government initiatives such as Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQs) agreements and the Indian Community Welfare Fund support overseas students with academic facilitation and on-site assistance.
• Challenges faced by Indian students include visa delays/rejections, high costs of tuition/living expenses, and geopolitical uncertainties.

!Overseas Education

Indian Opinion Analysis
The steady rise in outbound student numbers underscores India’s growing aspirations for global academic exposure despite minor fluctuations year-to-year like the dip observed in 2024. The preference for STEM programs reflects both global trends favoring technology-driven skills and local gaps in advanced educational infrastructure for these disciplines within India.

While government policies such as MRQs enable smoother transitions academically and logistically for students abroad, challenges related to rising costs remain important barriers that might exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities among aspiring students.

The sustained demand also emphasizes India’s need to align its domestic higher education system with internationally benchmarked standards while fostering innovation at home to curb brain drain over time.

Read More