New Delhi: Around 3.3 lakh Indian students left for higher studies abroad until June 30 this year, according to data collected by the Union Ministry of Education. In 2022, 7.5 lakh Indians had travelled to foreign countries for higher studies. The figures for 2022 were an increase of 68-percent over 2021.
The Ministry said that in 2022, 13,24,954 Indian students were pursuing various courses in 78 countries.
However, the Ministry maintained no data on students returning to India after their studies in foreign countries and the expenses incurred by the students for the courses.
Numbers speak
The following is a list of the number of students (in lakhs) who travelled to foreign countries from India for higher studies since 2018. The numbers declined only during the year 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
2018 – 5.1
2019 – 5.8
2020 – 2.5
2021 – 4.4
2022 – 7.5
2023 (till June 30) – 3.3
Study in India portal
Meanwhile, the Central Government has launched a single-window portal – Study in India (SIA) – to streamline registration and visa processing procedures of students arriving in India for studies. Officials at the Central Education Ministry said that the portal would speed up these procedures. Information regarding courses, accommodation facilities and scholarships is included in the portal.