India hosted 58,134 foreign students from 173 countries in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released by the Ministry of Education. This marks an increase of nearly 19 per cent over the last five years, reflecting the country’s growing appeal as a higher education destination. Nepal remains the largest source of foreign students, while Karnataka has emerged as the top host state.
Foreign Student Enrolments on the Rise
The number of foreign students in Indian higher education institutions has grown steadily over the past decade. In 2013-14, India hosted 39,517 foreign students from 158 countries. By 2023-24, that figure had risen by 47 per cent to 58,134 students, while the number of source countries expanded by 15.
The growth has been particularly noticeable since the launch of the Study in India (SII) programme. Foreign student enrolment climbed from 48,898 in 2019-20 to 58,134 in 2023-24, an increase of 9,236 students, or 18.9 per cent, over five years.
Both men and women contributed to this growth. Male enrolments rose from 32,386 to 37,295 during this period, while female enrolments increased from 16,512 to 20,839. The rising participation of women reflects a broader global trend of increasing female mobility in higher education.
Where Do Foreign Students Come From?
Nepal remains the dominant source of foreign students in India, accounting for 24.1 per cent of all international enrolments in 2023-24. This means nearly one in every four foreign students in India comes from the neighbouring country. Nepal’s share has also increased from 21 per cent in 2013-14, reinforcing the deep educational links between the two countries.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the second-largest source, contributing 7 per cent of foreign students. The United States and Bangladesh are tied at 5.9 per cent each, followed by Nigeria at 5.5 per cent and Zimbabwe at 4 per cent.
| Rank | Country | Share of Foreign Students (2023-24) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nepal | 24.1% |
| 2 | UAE | 7.0% |
| 3 | USA | 5.9% |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 5.9% |
| 5 | Nigeria | 5.5% |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 4.0% |
The top 10 source countries together account for 63.8 per cent of all foreign students in India. The remaining students come from a wide geographical spread, including countries such as Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Chile. This diversity indicates that India’s higher education sector is gradually attracting students from beyond its traditional neighbourhood.
Which States Are the Top Destinations?
Karnataka has emerged as the leading destination for foreign students in India, hosting 7,914 international students in 2023-24. This marks a significant shift, with Karnataka overtaking other states to claim the top spot. The state’s strong presence of premier engineering and technology institutions, particularly in Bengaluru, is a major draw.
Punjab follows closely with 7,902 students, just 12 fewer than Karnataka. The narrow margin between the two states highlights how competitive the higher education landscape has become.
| Rank | State | Foreign Students Enrolled |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka | 7,914 |
| 2 | Punjab | 7,902 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 6,190 |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,953 |
| 5 | Tamil Nadu | 5,694 |
Maharashtra ranks third with 6,190 students, while Uttar Pradesh (5,953) and Tamil Nadu (5,694) complete the top five. These five states together host a substantial portion of India’s foreign student population, reflecting the concentration of high-quality higher education institutions in these regions.
What Courses Do Foreign Students Prefer?
Undergraduate programmes remain the most popular choice among foreign students. A total of 42,779 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses, accounting for 73.6 per cent of all foreign enrolments. Of these, 27,849 were men and 14,930 were women.
Postgraduate programmes attracted 9,845 students, representing 16.8 per cent of foreign enrolments. Smaller numbers were enrolled in diploma, doctoral, certificate and integrated programmes.
At the undergraduate level, the most popular subjects were Arts (32.1 per cent), followed by Science (13.5 per cent), Engineering and Technology (12.9 per cent) and Commerce (12 per cent). At the postgraduate level, Social Science (18.6 per cent) and Management (18.2 per cent) recorded the highest enrolments.
The Study in India Programme
The Ministry of Education launched the Study in India (SII) programme in April 2018 to attract international students to Indian higher education institutions. The programme was designed to brand India as a preferred education destination and increase the country’s share of global student mobility.
Under the programme, supernumerary seats (additional seats over and above the regular intake) of 10 to 15 per cent are available for foreign students in participating institutions. This ensures that foreign student admissions do not reduce opportunities for Indian students.
The SII programme initially targeted 30 countries across South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with fee waiver schemes for meritorious students. The top 25 per cent of applicants could receive a 100 per cent fee waiver, the next 25 per cent a 50 per cent waiver, and the next 25 per cent a 25 per cent waiver. The programme had a sanctioned budget of ₹150 crore for its first two years.
In August 2023, a redesigned SII portal was launched jointly by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Home Affairs. The new portal integrated visa processing and Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) application procedures, creating a single-window system for foreign students. The programme now partners with more than 600 institutions offering over 8,000 courses and has reached students from 136 countries.
The AISHE data shows that foreign student numbers have risen from 48,898 in 2019-20 to 58,134 in 2023-24, partly reflecting the impact of these efforts. However, the original target of attracting 2 lakh foreign students by 2023 remains unmet, pointing to the need for sustained policy focus and institutional capacity building.
Key Takeaways
- The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) was initiated by the Ministry of Education in 2010-11 to build a comprehensive database on higher education in India.
- India hosted 58,134 foreign students from 173 countries in the 2023-24 academic year, a 47 per cent increase from 39,517 students from 158 countries in 2013-14.
- Nepal is the largest source country, accounting for 24.1 per cent of all foreign students, followed by the UAE (7 per cent), USA (5.9 per cent), Bangladesh (5.9 per cent) and Nigeria (5.5 per cent).
- Karnataka hosted the highest number of foreign students with 7,914 enrolments, narrowly ahead of Punjab (7,902).
- Undergraduate programmes attract 73.6 per cent of foreign students, with Arts being the most popular subject at the UG level.
- The Study in India (SII) programme was launched in April 2018 with a budget of ₹150 crore and now partners with over 600 institutions across India.
