The Emerging Trend in Indian Student Mobility

India has long been a powerhouse sending students to foreign universities, with numbers surging post-pandemic to record highs. However, recent data indicates a significant reversal. For the third consecutive year, the number of Indian students heading abroad for higher education has declined sharply. This shift is not merely a statistical blip but a reflection of evolving global dynamics, domestic reforms, and pragmatic choices by students and families. As India's higher education landscape transforms under the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), more young minds are opting to build their futures within the country.

The National Education Policy 2020, a comprehensive framework approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, aims to overhaul India's education system from school to higher education. It emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, flexibility in curricula, research promotion, and positioning India as a global knowledge hub. Key pillars include increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035 from the current around 28.4%, establishing new institutions, and fostering internationalization at home through foreign university campuses and twinning programs.

📉 Official Data: A 31% Plunge Over Three Years

According to data from the Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry, shared by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar in Rajya Sabha, the numbers tell a clear story. In 2023, 9.08 lakh Indians departed for studies abroad. This fell to 7.7 lakh in 2024—a drop of over 15%—and further to 6.26 lakh in 2025, marking a cumulative decline of nearly 31% or about 2.82 lakh students.

These figures capture annual outflows based on declarations at airports and ports, providing a reliable proxy for new student departures. While total enrollments abroad peaked around 1.33 million in 2024 per some estimates, the fresh mobility trend underscores caution among prospective students.

Visa Policy Shifts in Top Destinations

Traditional hotspots like Canada, the UK, Australia, and the US have introduced stringent measures, reshaping choices for Indian students. In Canada, study permit caps were imposed, with a 10% reduction from 2024 targets and rejection rates for Indians soaring to 74% in August 2025. The UK banned dependents for most postgraduate taught courses in January 2025, leading to a 12% drop in Indian enrollments, while Australia reclassified India as 'highest risk', tightening scrutiny and setting enrollment targets.

• Canada: Permit allocations slashed, higher proof of funds required.
• UK: Dependent restrictions, agent reviews, January 2026 intake at four-year low.
• Australia: Risk-based categories, national caps from 2025-26.
• US: F1 visa changes, fixed 4-year stays, stricter OPT/CPT, H-1B uncertainties amid policy debates.

These changes stem from housing pressures, migration concerns, and sustainability goals in host countries, prompting Indian families to reassess.Times Higher Education report

Economic Pressures and Rising Costs

Beyond visas, financial burdens have escalated. Tuition fees in Western nations have risen 10-20% annually, compounded by rupee depreciation past 85/USD. Living expenses, health insurance, and travel add up, with total outbound spend previously hitting Rs 6.3 trillion—about 2% of GDP. Remittances for education fell to USD 0.32 billion in August 2025, down 23%.

Families now weigh return on investment, especially with uncertain post-study work visas. Improved domestic education loans and scholarships make staying home more viable. This decline saves precious forex, redirecting funds to innovation and domestic growth.

Photo by Ashima Pargal on Unsplash

NEP 2020: Transforming Domestic Higher Education

NEP 2020 is central to this narrative. Full form: National Education Policy 2020. It introduces holistic, multidisciplinary undergraduate programs with multiple entry-exit options, credit banks via Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and emphasis on research. Institutions have grown from 51,534 in 2014-15 to 70,018 by June 2025.

GER in higher education rose from 23.7% to 28.4% by 2021-22, with 43.3 million enrolled, targeting 50% or 86 million by 2035. Reforms include better accreditation via National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), graded autonomy, and funding for research. Foreign universities can now set up campuses—14 approved, 5 in GIFT City like Deakin University.

48% of ranked Indian universities improved in global standings, driven by internationalization.Union Budget 2026 boosts further support this momentum. For career aspirants, check higher ed jobs in these evolving institutions.

Boost to Indian Universities and Enrollment Surge

Premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NITs are reaping benefits. IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus saw 400% enrollment rise; IIT Madras Zanzibar attracts diverse cohorts. Domestic GER improvements correlate with outbound decline, as students access quality STEM, management programs locally.

• IITs: Enhanced research funding, global rankings climb.
• New private unis: Amity, VIT expanding with international tie-ups.
• State unis: Curricular flexibility under NEP attracting talent.

Enrollments in Indian higher ed crossed 43 million, with focus on skilling for AI, green tech. Explore university jobs in India amid this growth.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Real-World Cases

Government views it positively, citing NEP's role in making India competitive. Student unions note mental health gains from staying closer to family, though some worry about limited global exposure. Experts like those from NITI Aayog highlight net outflow reduction as demographic dividend capture.

Case: A Maharashtra family chose IIT Bombay over Canadian MS due to visa risks and NEP's multidisciplinary BTech. Another: Tamil Nadu student opts for Anna University post NEP reforms, saving Rs 50 lakh.

Industry leaders applaud forex savings for R&D. For advice, visit higher ed career advice.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The decline curtails brain drain—36% top JEE scorers previously emigrated—and saves billions in outflows, fueling domestic infra. India's HE market grows at 10% CAGR, positioning it as Global South hub.

Challenges: Capacity gaps for 85% enrollment jump by 2035, quality variance across 70k HEIs. Solutions: PPPs, digital platforms, NIRF internationalization metrics.

Photo by ARTO SURAJ on Unsplash

Future Outlook: India as Education Hub

Projections: Outbound may stabilize at 5-6 lakh, inbound rise to 1 lakh+ via Study in India 2.0. New destinations like Germany (377% growth), UAE emerge, but domestic focus dominates. NEP's twinning degrees, offshore IIT/IIM campuses bridge gaps.

Actionable insights: Students, prioritize NIRF-ranked unis; leverage ABC for flexibility. Faculty, explore professor jobs. Institutions, amp up global partnerships.

Navigating Opportunities in Indian Higher Ed

As outbound declines, opportunities abound domestically. Rate your experience at Rate My Professor, seek faculty positions, or get career advice. India's HE is poised for global stature—stay informed, stay invested.