In 2024, the count of Indian students studying abroad for higher education saw a major drop of 15%. Data from the Bureau of Immigration indicates that the overall count of Indian students going overseas for education decreased from 892,989 in 2023 to 759,064 in 2024.
The decrease was primarily observed in locations like Canada, the UK, and the US. These nations experienced a total decline of 164,370 Indian students within a single year. Canada, specifically, experienced an incredible 41% drop, from 233,532 in 2023 to 137,608 in 2024. The UK and the US noted declines of 27% and 13%, respectively. The downturn in these nations can be linked to several factors, such as tougher visa regulations, elevated financial requirements, more rejections, and diplomatic strains.
In the case of Canada, the decrease aligns with growing diplomatic strains between Ottawa and Delhi. The conflict intensified in September 2023, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India’s participation in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In retaliation, India retracted security measures for Canadian diplomats, prompting Canada to pull back 41 diplomats from India. In the midst of this tension, Canada reinforced its regulations on visas and student permits. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented tougher rules, granting officials greater authority to revoke study and work permits under specific circumstances.
The UK also implemented new regulations that restricted international students from accompanying their families. Starting January 2024, international students – with the exception of those in postgraduate research or government-funded programs – could no longer bring family members.
Russia noted a 34% increase in Indian student registrations. Elements such as cost-effective education, simplified visa regulations, and increasing academic collaborations have rendered these countries appealing options for Indian students. This is just the second instance since 2019 (excluding the pandemic year of 2020) that the number of Indians pursuing studies abroad has declined. The recovery of the numbers in 2025 will be influenced by changes in visa policies, diplomatic relations, and economic conditions.
The decrease in Indian students pursuing education overseas significantly impacts both the education sector and the broader economy. It is yet to be determined how the government and educational institutions will react to this trend and aim to bring Indian students back to these locations.
