The number of international students in India is rising steadily, and 2026 marks an important moment for India’s ambitions as a global study destination. After the sharp COVID-era disruptions of 2020–21, inbound student numbers have recovered strongly, and the Indian government has launched a series of reforms designed to accelerate that growth. From the Study in India programme to new streamlined student visas introduced in January 2025, India is actively positioning itself to attract far more foreign learners than ever before.
This article covers the latest statistics on international students in India, country-wise data, the top courses and institutions attracting foreign students, and what the government’s ambitious 500,000-by-2047 target means in practice. All data has been updated as of March 2026.
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1. How Many International Students Are in India? (2025–2026 Data)
India’s inbound student figures have recovered well from the pandemic lows. According to the QS Global Student Flows India Report released in March 2026, India had approximately 58,000 international students in 2025, and that number is forecast to grow at around 8% per year through to 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing inbound study destinations globally.
To put this in perspective, the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) recorded a 42% increase in foreign student enrolments in 2022 compared to 2021, reflecting the strong post-pandemic rebound. The year-on-year growth has continued since then, though India remains well behind its stated targets.
| Year | Foreign Students (Student Visas) | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ~47,000+ | Pre-pandemic baseline |
| 2018 | 72,268 | Peak pre-COVID year |
| 2019 | 74,689 | Highest pre-pandemic year |
| 2020 | 20,561 | COVID-19 lockdowns: −72% |
| 2021 | 23,439 | Partial recovery: +14% |
| 2022 | ~30,000+ | AISHE: +42% YoY enrolments |
| 2025 (est.) | ~58,000 | QS Global Student Flows Report |
| 2030 (forecast) | ~85,000+ | QS forecast at 8% annual growth |
Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), AISHE 2022, QS Global Student Flows India Report 2026.
The NITI Aayog Internationalisation of Higher Education in India report (December 2025) highlighted a significant imbalance: in 2024, for every one international student coming to India, 28 Indian students went abroad. Closing this gap is now a stated policy priority.
2. Country-Wise Data: Which Countries Send the Most Students to India?
South Asia dominates India’s inbound student profile. Neighbouring countries account for the largest share of foreign students, driven by cultural proximity, affordability, shared languages, and India’s well-established universities. According to data from the AISHE survey (2022) and MEA records:
Top Source Countries for International Students in India (2022 Data — Latest Available)
| Country | Students (2022) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 13,126 | Largest single source; growing at ~11% per year (QS 2026) |
| Afghanistan | ~8,000–10,000 | High historical numbers; visa constraints limiting growth |
| Bangladesh | ~7,000–8,000 | Strong cultural and linguistic ties |
| United States | ~3,000+ | Primarily graduate and research students |
| UAE | ~2,500+ | Expected to reach ~5% of inbound total by 2030 |
| Sri Lanka | ~2,000+ | Steady flow for medicine and engineering |
| Sudan / Tanzania / Nigeria | Significant | Sub-Saharan Africa growing at ~6% per year |
| Malaysia / Thailand / Yemen | Significant | Long-standing South/SE Asia corridor |
| Source: AISHE 2022 (MHRD), Statista, QS Global Student Flows India 2026. | ||
Nepal is the standout source market. The QS 2026 report projects Nepal’s student flows to India growing at approximately 11% annually — faster than any other country. Afghanistan, historically the second-largest source, faces constraints due to visa approval challenges following the Taliban takeover in 2021.
African demand is one of the most significant growth stories. Students from Sub-Saharan Africa — particularly from Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ethiopia — are flowing to India in increasing numbers, driven by large youth populations, limited domestic higher education capacity, and India’s affordability advantage compared to Western destinations.
3. Why Are International Students Choosing India in 2026?
Several converging factors are making India more attractive to foreign students, particularly as traditional Anglophone destinations tighten their policies:
Affordability
Tuition fees at Indian universities are a fraction of those in the UK, US, Canada, or Australia. Living costs in Indian cities are also substantially lower. For students from Nepal, Bangladesh, Africa, and the Middle East, India offers quality higher education at accessible price points.
The Big Four Are Becoming More Restrictive
Canada capped international students at 270,000 in 2025 and has seen Indian study permit approval rates fall sharply. The US saw F-1 visa issuances to Indian students drop by 44% in the first half of 2025. Australia and the UK have also tightened policies. This global shift is redirecting students from South Asia and Africa toward India as an alternative.
Government Reforms: Study in India Programme
Launched in 2018, the Study in India programme has progressively streamlined admissions for foreign students, introduced tuition waivers for students meeting certain academic benchmarks, and actively marketed Indian universities through overseas recruitment drives and partnerships. The programme’s portal (studyinindia.gov.in) now lists thousands of courses across hundreds of institutions.
National Education Policy 2020 and UGC Reforms
The UGC’s 2023 decision to permit foreign universities to establish branch campuses in India has expanded the academic offer available to international students. Institutions can also reserve up to 25% additional (supernumerary) seats for overseas applicants, removing competition with domestic students for limited places.
New Streamlined Student Visas (January 2025)
In January 2025, the Government of India announced a revised and simplified student visa framework designed to reduce processing friction for incoming international students. The new framework includes clearer eligibility criteria, faster processing timelines, and expanded categories to better reflect the range of programmes international students pursue in India.
Scale of India’s Higher Education System
India has the world’s second-largest higher education system, with over 1,000 universities and 45,000+ colleges. It offers internationally recognised programmes in medicine, engineering, IT, management, and the humanities at a scale few countries can match.
4. Top Courses for International Students in India
International students in India gravitate toward specific subject areas where Indian institutions have strong reputations and cost advantages:
- MBBS and Medical Sciences — India is a leading destination for medical degrees, particularly for students from Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Middle East who face limited or expensive domestic options. Indian medical degrees are recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and many national medical councils.
- Engineering and Technology — IITs, NITs, and private engineering universities attract students, particularly from South Asian and African nations, seeking affordable, quality technical education.
- Management and MBA — India’s top business schools, including IIMs, are growing in international recognition. Management programmes attract students from neighbouring SAARC nations and the Gulf.
- Yoga, Ayurveda, and Traditional Medicine — India is the only destination for students seeking authentic, accredited training in yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. Students come from across Europe, the Americas, and East Asia for these programmes.
- Information Technology and Computer Science — India’s tech ecosystem makes it attractive for students who want to study computer science and potentially enter India’s thriving IT sector.
- Languages and Cultural Studies — Students from East Asia (South Korea, Japan, China) have historically come to India for language and cultural immersion programmes, including Hindi, Sanskrit, and classical performing arts.
5. India’s 500,000 International Students by 2047 Target
The Indian government has set an ambitious long-term target: to host 500,000 international students by 2047, the centenary of Indian independence. This would represent nearly a tenfold increase from current levels and would place India among the world’s top five study destinations.
The QS Global Student Flows India 2026 report cautions that realising this target requires sustained policy execution and significant investment across three areas:
- Academic reputation — Indian universities have improved employer reputation rankings significantly (the median Employer Reputation rank improved by 61 places since 2017), but academic reputation rankings have seen little movement. This is a critical gap, since students from the Middle East and the US cite institutional reputation as their primary decision factor.
- Graduate employability — A 2025 Mercer-Mettl report found that only 42.6% of Indian graduates are considered immediately employable. Students invest in education expecting career outcomes; India needs to close this gap to attract and retain international students.
- Campus infrastructure — Rapid expansion of enrolments without matching investment in housing, campus facilities, and student support services risks undermining the student experience that underpins India’s growing appeal.
The baseline trajectory is encouraging: at the forecast 8% annual growth rate, India would reach approximately 85,000 international students by 2030. Reaching 500,000 by 2047 would require accelerating that growth rate materially — achievable, but not inevitable.
6. How to Apply for a Student Visa to Study in India
Foreign nationals wishing to study in India require a Student Visa (S Visa), issued by the Indian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The January 2025 visa reforms have simplified this process. Key requirements include:
- A confirmed offer of admission from a recognised Indian university or college
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the intended period of stay
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses
- Medical insurance for the duration of the study
- Completed visa application form with supporting documents
Students from eligible countries may be able to apply for the India e-Visa online. However, for long-duration study programmes, a full student visa (sticker visa) from the Indian mission in the home country is typically required. Always verify requirements directly with the Indian Embassy in your country, as processing requirements vary by nationality.
Apply through the official India Visa Online portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. For course listings and admissions, visit the Study in India portal: studyinindia.gov.in.
7. The Brain Drain Context: India’s Inbound vs Outbound Imbalance
The inbound international student story in India cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the outbound context. India is simultaneously the world’s second-largest source of international students — with over 1.25 million Indian students studying abroad in 2025, according to MEA data.
The NITI Aayog report (December 2025) starkly highlighted the imbalance: in 2024, for every one international student coming to India, 28 Indian students went abroad. Indian students spent approximately ₹2.9 lakh crore (roughly USD 35 billion) on overseas education in 2023–24 — a massive outflow of education spending that India’s internationalisation strategy aims to partially reverse.
This context matters to readers in the immigration world because it explains the urgency behind India’s policy reforms. Making India more attractive to inbound international students is not just about prestige — it is about reversing a significant economic and talent flow.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
How many international students are studying in India in 2026?
Approximately 58,000 international students were enrolled in Indian institutions in 2025, according to the QS Global Student Flows India Report (2026). This number is forecast to grow at around 8% per year through to 2030. The figure represents a strong recovery from the pandemic low of around 20,000 in 2020.
Which country sends the most students to India?
Nepal sends the largest number of students to India. According to AISHE 2022 data, over 13,000 Nepali students were enrolled in Indian institutions — the highest among all countries. Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the next largest source countries, followed by students from Africa and the UAE.
What courses do international students study in India?
The most popular courses are MBBS and medical sciences, engineering and technology, management and MBA programmes, yoga and Ayurveda, and IT and computer science. India is particularly well-known as a destination for affordable medical degrees that are internationally recognised.
Is India a good destination for international students?
India offers strong value for students from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — combining affordable tuition, a vast range of programmes, and internationally recognised degrees, particularly in medicine, engineering, and technology.
Infrastructure and student support services are improving, though they remain areas for development. The government’s ongoing reforms under the Study in India programme and NEP 2020 are making India progressively more competitive as a study destination.
What is the Study in India programme?
The Study in India programme is a Government of India initiative launched in 2018 to attract international students to Indian universities. It operates through a central portal (studyinindia.gov.in), offers tuition waivers for academically eligible students, and supports universities in international recruitment. The programme has been significantly expanded under the National Education Policy 2020.
What is India’s target for international students?
India’s long-term target is to host 500,000 international students by 2047 — the centenary year of Indian independence. This represents approximately a tenfold increase from current enrolment levels and would place India among the world’s top study destinations globally.
Do international students need a visa to study in India?
Yes. Most international students require an Indian Student Visa (S Visa) issued by the Indian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. A small number of nationalities (Nepal, Bhutan) are exempt from visa requirements. Citizens of 166 countries are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa, but a full student visa is required for long-duration academic programmes. New simplified student visa rules came into effect in January 2025.
Last updated: March 2026. Data sourced from MEA, AISHE (Ministry of Education), NITI Aayog, and QS Global Student Flows India Report 2026. Visa and programme information is subject to change — always verify current requirements at indianvisaonline.gov.in and studyinindia.gov.in.