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In the 2023/24 academic year, 58,134 international students from 173 countries studied at universities in India, which is 18.9% more than five years ago. The total number of students at Indian universities is approximately 45 000 000. Moreover, the presence of both men and women is growing!
These figures are provided by the country's Ministry of Education in the annual All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE 2023/24). The internationalization of higher education in India is advancing rapidly; the Study in India program, launched back in 2018, is operating successfully alongside the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
However, according to experts, the growth rate is still insufficient: the plan was to enroll 200 000 international students as far back as 2023, and the goal was achieved by only one third — 58 000 people. Only 0.13% of all university students in India are international students.
Where do students come from to study in India?
- Nepal = 24.1%,
- UAE = 7%,
- Bangladesh = 5.9%,
- Nigeria = 5.5%,
- Zimbabwe = 4%.
In total, students from more than 173 countries study in the country.
Where do international students study?
Karnataka is currently considered the leader in international education within India (7,914 foreign students), followed by Punjab (7,902), Maharashtra (6,190), Uttar Pradesh (5,953), and Tamil Nadu (5,694).
The majority of students (73.6%) choose undergraduate programs, and around 9,800 choose postgraduate programs. Doctoral programs, equivalent diplomas, and integrated study are not in high demand in India.
How can India become more prominent in the global education market?
- Becoming a hub for top foreign universities: branches and campuses of universities from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are opening (or preparing to open). This is facilitated by a favorable government policy and the cost of tuition (alongside a fairly valuable degree).
- Attention to a comprehensive international education ecosystem: visa policy, student infrastructure and housing, support and adaptation services, and integration.
- Developing a graduate employment system.
- Strengthening the international reputation of Indian universities and pursuing a bolder, more active entry into global markets.
