India is on its way to becoming an important global education destination. Until 2030, the number of international students is expected to grow by about 8 percent every year. The data is backed by Global Student Flows: India report released by UK-based QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The report studies international student mobility trends related to India using QS flow-mapping technology, data from the QS International Student Survey 2025, and World University Rankings.
As of 2025, India is hosting around 58,000 international students, and this number is expected to increase considering the fact that visa rules have become stricter in many countries and education costs are witnessing a rise in popular study destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Due to these relevant reasons, many of the students are now looking for more affordable countries like India.
Half of the international students studying in India are from South Asian countries. Nepal and Bangladesh together contribute more than 30 per cent of these enrolments. The total number of students from Nepal is expected to grow by around 11 per cent year-by-year. However, the number of students from Afghanistan is projected to increase by less than 1 per cent each year.
Another major destination where students may enroll is Sub-Saharan Africa. The number of students from this region is expected to grow by around 6 per cent annually. Some of the established reasons are large youth populations, limited higher education opportunities at home, and India’s relatively affordable education. Students from the United Arab Emirates are projected to make up around 5 per cent of India’s international student population by 2030.
Indian government policies are helping India become an attractive place to study. The Study in India programme has simplified admission processes and reduced financial barriers for international students. The National Education Policy 2020 allows foreign universities to open campuses in India and permits universities to reserve up to 25 per cent additional seats for international students. India has also set a long-term target of hosting 5 lakh international students by 2047.
India is second-largest source of international students
What cannot be ignored is that India remains the world’s second-largest source of international students. More than eight lakh Indians are studying abroad (as of 2024). Indian students are now preferring Germany and France over UK and Canada.
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However, one of the biggest concerns for students is employability. A 2025 Mercer-Mettl report found that only 42.6 per cent of Indian graduates are considered employable. The QS International Student Survey 2025 also showed that many prospective students want universities to provide clearer information about work placements and industry partnerships.
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