The number of Indian students abroad increased from 13,18,955 in 2023 to 13,35,878 in 2024, according to recently released data.
According to statistics shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, while Canada comes out as the top host country, with 427,000 Indian students, it is followed by USA with 337,630, the UK with 185,000, Australia with 122,202, and Germany with 42,997.
The impact of the Ukraine-Russia war is evident as 2,510 Indian students are currently in Ukraine – a significant drop from 11,987 in 2023.
Medical education has emerged as a primary driver of student mobility from India, with East and Central Asian countries figuring among the top 13 host countries.
China – with 8,580 Indian students, Georgia with 16,093, Uzbekistan with 4,100, and the Philippines with 9,665 have been considered popular study destinations for students coming from India in recent years.
While replying to a question, minister of state for external affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, assured that Indian missions abroad are engaging with students studying overseas.
“Indian missions/posts abroad constantly engage with Indian students studying overseas and encourage them to either register with them or on the Global Rishta Portal. They organise welcome ceremonies for Indian students who travel abroad for the first time and brief them on security issues in the host countries.
“They also advise them to register with the Indian missions/posts and to regularly stay connected,” said Singh, while addressing the parliament.
“Indian missions use the aforesaid method to collect data of Indian students abroad through voluntary registrations. Indian missions/posts abroad also coordinate with the concerned authorities in the host governments to secure data on the number of Indian students studying overseas,” he was quoted as saying by The Hindustan Times.
Despite the diplomatic row between India and Canada, the latter’s cap on study permits, and concerns regarding employment and housing, there’s been only a small decline in the number of Indian students residing in the North American country in 2024.
Some 427,085 Indian students were studying in Canada in 2023 compared to 427,000 this year.
However, concerns about the safety of Indian students could contribute to a further drop.
The minister highlighted that a total of Indian 633 students died abroad in the last five years, with Canada recording the highest number of deaths at 172.
According to Singh, a total of 18 Indian students lost their lives in violent incidents or attacks.
Nine of them died in Canada, the highest, followed by the US, with six deaths, and China, the UK, and Australia – each logging one death.
The remaining 614 students passed away due to accidents or medical causes, 163 of them in Canada, according to the data released by the ministry.