As of 2022, 750,365 Indian college students had been learning overseas. This quantity rose to 892,989 in 2023, reflecting a post-pandemic surge, however dropped to 759,064 in 2024 – a decline of almost 15% – as per schooling ministry information highlighted by union minister of state for schooling, Sukanta Majumdar, within the Indian parliament.
Whereas this general decline might be attributed to fluctuating pupil numbers within the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, some locations witnessed vital development. Notably, the variety of Indian college students in Russia rose by almost 34% from 2023 to 2024, whereas France noticed a 14% enhance in the identical interval.
The variety of Indian college students in Russia grew from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023, and additional to 31,444 in 2024, as per the info offered by Majumdar.
Equally, the variety of Indian college students heading to France steadily elevated from 6,406 in 2022 to 7,484 in 2023, reaching 8,536 in 2024.
Germany additionally skilled an increase in pupil numbers from India, growing from 20,684 in 2022 to 23,296 in 2023, and additional to 34,702 in 2024. This represents an almost 49% enhance from 2023.
New Zealand additionally noticed a pointy surge, with the variety of Indian college students climbing from 1,605 in 2022 to 7,297 in 2024.
Whereas these international locations have remained robust alternate options for Indian college students prior to now decade or so, a variety of things have propelled the upward trajectory lately.
Within the case of Russia, the nation’s medical schooling attracts hundreds of Indian college students yearly.
In accordance with RACUS, an affiliation of 20 Russian state universities, roughly 5,000 Indian college students select to pursue medication in Russia.
In contrast to India, the place medical admissions are extremely aggressive and costly, Russian universities don’t require entrance exams just like the Nationwide Eligibility Entrance Take a look at for admission.
“Yearly greater than 1000 Indian residents grow to be college students of Russian state universities of the RACUS group,” a RACUS spokesperson instructed The PIE Information.
“MBBS, Veterinary Drugs, Aviation and PhD packages have essentially the most curiosity amongst Indian candidates.”
The packages provide partial scholarships, assured lodging (RACUS bonus or as much as $200 per 12 months), inexpensive tuition charges (starting from $3,000 to $4,500 on common), free instructional supplies, and low dwelling prices, with meals bills averaging $200–$250 per 30 days, the spokesperson instructed The PIE, including that for 2025, it plans to recruit growing numbers of Indian college students.
Candidates face minimal necessities, with no TOEFL, IELTS, or financial institution assure wanted, whereas the invitation letter course of is simplified, taking not more than three days for Indian college students.
In the meantime, France’s goal of 30,000 Indian college students by 2030 has led to a variety of initiatives aimed toward growing numbers from India.
Whereas Courses Internationales, launched in September 2024, affords Indian college students an immersive year-long French language coaching and tutorial preparation earlier than their chosen program, Campus France excursions in main cities throughout India are attracting massive numbers of potential college students.
In a context the place many international locations are closing their borders, France has clearly said a technique of constructing a robust, sustainable partnership with India by the youth
Maud Le Bars, Omnes Schooling
“In a context the place many international locations are closing their borders, France has clearly said a technique of constructing a robust, sustainable partnership with India by the youth,” defined Maud Le Bars, South Asia space supervisor, Omnes Schooling.
“Indian college students are among the many 5 nationalities eligible for a two-year post-study keep visa after finishing their grasp’s diploma. They’re additionally the one nationality to learn from the Alumni Visa, which permits them to journey to the Schengen zone for short-term tourism or enterprise journeys for as much as 5 years.”
Whereas a survey by Campus France, final 12 months, exhibiting that 87% of worldwide alumni in France discovered a job in lower than a 12 months after their research, the nation’s huge investments in Synthetic Intelligence could possibly be even be helpful to worldwide college students, particularly Indians.
“The employment alternatives in France and within the Schengen zone are aplenty, for example, simply February 10 2025, throughout the AI Summit co-presided with India, our president introduced that France, a rustic the dimensions of Karnataka, has attracted €109 billion of personal funding in AI,” said Bars.
“French firms are additionally investing increasingly in India, making France the third greatest international employer right here. That signifies that there are a variety of attention-grabbing parts for a pupil from this a part of the world,” said Bars.
In accordance with Bars, France’s shift in the direction of AI could have led some Indian college students to decide on engineering packages over administration programs, though the latter nonetheless stays common amongst worldwide college students.
In Germany, Indian college students already type the largest worldwide pupil cohort, whereas New Zealand is witnessing post-pandemic development.
Throughout his ongoing tour in India, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon additionally introduced a NZ$260,000 scholarship package deal below the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025 to additional assist Indian college students.
The rise in pupil numbers in rising research locations comes at a time when the ‘Massive 4’ international locations are experiencing both a decline or stagnation in general purposes from India. Coverage modifications, elevated prices, and diplomatic points have contributed to the present development.
