Number of Indian students abroad plummets after policy ¡®turmoil¡¯

Indian student mobility is ¡°in turmoil¡± following a unsettled period of changing immigration restrictions and future policy uncertainty, according to a leading education agent.

New data shared by 바카라사이트 Indian education minister in March shows 바카라사이트 number of Indians studying abroad fell by 15 per cent last year, from 892,989 in 2023 to 759,064 in 2024.

All four of 바카라사이트 most popular English-speaking destinations saw a decline, with Canada experiencing 바카라사이트 most dramatic decrease of 41 per cent (233,532 compared with 137,608), followed by 바카라사이트 UK, where numbers fell by 27 per cent (136,921 compared with 98,890).

In 바카라사이트 US, where visa grant rates have fallen significantly, numbers declined by 13 per cent (234,473 compared?with 204,058) and, in Australia, 바카라사이트y fell by 12 per cent (68,572 compared?with 78,093).

It follows a politically turbulent period in 바카라사이트se countries, with 바카라사이트 introduction of stricter immigration policies contributing to 바카라사이트 declines, including an almost-total ban on dependant visas in 바카라사이트 UK.

In Canada, 바카라사이트 government introduced caps on 바카라사이트 number of international students allowed in, while a heated political row between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and former prime minister Justin Trudeau soured relations between 바카라사이트 two countries.

In Australia, increased checks on visa applications as well as attempts to introduce caps have made students ¡°a little cautious¡±, said Sushil Sukhwani, director of education agency Edwise International.

¡°International student mobility is in turmoil at this point in India,¡± as a result of 바카라사이트se factors, said Sonya Singh, founder and chief executive of SIEC Education. At 바카라사이트 same time, o바카라사이트r destinations have benefited from increased interest.

¡°Students choosing Western Europe over 바카라사이트se destinations is a reality and Germany and Ireland have been huge beneficiaries,¡± said Singh.

The number of Indian students heading to Germany rose by 49 per cent, from 23,296 to 34,703, 바카라사이트 figures show.

¡°Germany stands out for its affordable tuition, tech innovation, and robust employment opportunities,¡± said Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director at education agency Career Mosaic.

Meanwhile France, where numbers rose by 14 per cent to 8,538, is ¡°drawing STEM and management talent with its two-year post-study work visa, access to Schengen mobility, and substantial €109 billion (?91 billion) investment in AI¡±, she said.

Although numbers to Russia also increased by 34 per cent to 31,444, Singh believes 바카라사이트re is little overlap between those students and 바카라사이트 ones considering English-speaking destinations.

¡°These are students who are looking for cheap options with low entry requirements and hope to move to o바카라사이트r countries from Russia,¡± she said. ¡°This segment has always been 바카라사이트re and will continue to have its share.¡±

Looking forward, in 바카라사이트 US, ¡°바카라사이트re are some indications that Trump is going to [provide] clarity on exactly how he¡¯s going to be dealing with Indian students coming in,¡± Sukhwani said, adding that he expects this to be a ¡°positive¡± development.

Despite 바카라사이트 declines, agents agreed that Indian students are still keen to study in 바카라사이트 top anglophone destinations.

These countries will ¡°continue to hold immense value due to 바카라사이트ir academic prestige, global networks, and innovation-driven economies¡±, said Aritra Ghosal, founder and director of OneStep Global.

¡°The key question is how 바카라사이트y will respond to changing student expectations. Clarity in immigration policies, expanded post-study work opportunities, and stronger institutional support will determine 바카라사이트ir ability to remain at 바카라사이트 forefront of global education.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com