Indian Students Abroad: A Growing Trend and Domestic Educational Reforms

Surge in Indian Students Seeking Global Education

The trend of Indian students pursuing higher education abroad continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, as over 28.33 lakh students sought international education between 2019 and 2023. Data from the Ministry of Education highlights this upward trajectory, with 5,86,337 students studying overseas in 2019. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in 2020 to 2,59,655, numbers rebounded to 4,44,553 in 2021. The trend accelerated further, with 7,50,365 students going abroad in 2022 and 8,92,989 in 2023. This five-year surge underscores India’s increasing integration into the global education landscape.

Despite the allure of international education, the government remains concerned about the phenomenon of “brain drain,” wherein talent relocates abroad, potentially impacting domestic growth. Notably, the government does not maintain records on whether these students return, as such decisions are primarily influenced by individual aspirations within a globalised workforce. In response, the government has amplified efforts to elevate the quality of domestic education and position India as a global hub for higher learning.

Government Initiatives to Retain and Attract Talent

To address these challenges, the Indian government has launched a series of initiatives to enhance the domestic education ecosystem. Central to these efforts is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which enables foreign universities to establish campuses in India and encourages collaborative academic programs such as joint, dual, and twinning degrees under the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Significant investments in research and infrastructure include initiatives like the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the establishment of Research Parks, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. The redesigned Study in India program aims to attract a greater number of foreign students by improving India’s higher education appeal and offering scholarships such as the AYUSH and Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarships.

Additionally, India is fostering global academic collaboration through initiatives like One Nation, One Subscription and the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC). These programs ensure centralised access to academic resources and promote cross-border research.

By emphasising world-class infrastructure, robust research ecosystems, and global partnerships, India aspires to curb brain drain and establish itself as a global destination for higher education.