4 days agoAuthor: Anjali Rajgovind
More than 9.08 lakh Indians went abroad for higher education in 2023, but that number fell to 7.7 lakh in 2024 and dropped further to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
This is a decline of over 31% in just two years, according to data shared by the Union government in Parliament.
Is the study abroad dream fading, or are students simply choosing different countries and different opportunities? Let’s explore.
Why are fewer Indians choosing to study abroad?
- Several countries have tightened student visa rules, made post-study work pathways less certain and increased financial checks.
- At the same time, tuition fees, rent and everyday expenses have risen sharply, making overseas education much more expensive.
A recent survey by HSBC found that many Indian families now place greater importance on return on investment, whether a foreign degree will actually lead to a well-paying job.
Education consultant Vijay Kumar Chaudhary wrote on LinkedIn: ‘Families aren’t quitting. They’re calculating.’
This combination of higher costs and lower certainty is making many students rethink their plans.
Are students choosing colleges in India instead?
For many students, the answer is yes, but not always.
Some are staying back because they now see better opportunities in India, while others simply cannot justify the cost of going abroad.
Several Indian institutions have climbed global rankings in recent years. In the latest QS World University Rankings 2027, 12 Indian universities featured among the world’s top 500, the country’s best performance so far.
At the same time, private universities have expanded courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science and business.
Many students are also choosing to:
- Prepare for competitive exams like GATE, CAT and UPSC.
- Join Indian start-ups or multinational companies after graduation.
- Pursue online degrees or professional certifications while working.
Education experts say students are no longer asking only, ‘Where can I study?’ They are increasingly asking, ‘Will this degree be worth the money I spend?’
Has working abroad also become less popular?
Many Indians still want to build careers overseas, but the route has become more difficult than before.
- Earlier, a foreign degree often led to a post-study work visa and eventually a full-time job.
- Now, several countries have tightened immigration rules, making that transition less predictable.
- As a result, some students are choosing to gain work experience in India first before applying for jobs abroad.
At the same time, skilled Indians continue to move overseas through employment visas, especially in sectors such as:
- Information technology
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Finance
How has the falling rupee made foreign education costlier?
Most universities abroad charge fees in their own currency.
So, when the rupee weakens against the US dollar, British pound or other foreign currencies, Indian families have to spend more even if the university does not increase its fees.
The impact goes beyond tuition. Students also pay for:
- Rent and food
- Health insurance
- Local transport
- Books and other daily expenses
For example, if a course costs US$50,000, every one-rupee fall against the dollar adds about ₹50,000 to the bill.
Similar increases affect living costs paid every month.
Do students drop their plans even after getting admission?
Yes, and it is becoming more common.
Getting an admission letter is only one step. Students must still arrange funds, secure a visa and be confident that the investment will pay off.
Some students now defer their admission by a year, switch to a different country or withdraw altogether if costs rise unexpectedly or visa rules change before they leave.
Common reasons include:
- A student visa being delayed or refused.
- Education loans becoming more expensive.
- A sudden rise in tuition or living costs.
- Family finances changing.
Why are foreign universities opening campuses in India?
Until recently, Indian students had to move abroad to earn a degree from a foreign university.
Now, some international universities are bringing that education to India instead.
- The change follows the University Grants Commission’s 2023 regulations, which allow eligible foreign universities to set up campuses in the country.
- Since then, several institutions have announced campuses or begun offering courses in places such as GIFT City and Navi Mumbai.
- Universities such as Deakin University, University of Wollongong, University of Southampton, University of Liverpool and Illinois Institute of Technology have announced or started campuses in India.
For universities, India is one of the world’s largest higher education markets.
Many are also facing slower growth in international student enrolments at home, making India an attractive place to expand.
Graphics: Gaurav Raj
