India is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for international students, with its higher education institutions attracting a significant number of learners from across the globe. A recent report, the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released by the Ministry of Education, highlights this growing appeal.
Growing International Student Enrollment
According to the AISHE 2023–24 report, a total of 58,134 foreign students enrolled in Indian higher education institutions. These students originated from 173 different countries, reflecting India's diverse global reach. This figure represents a substantial 18.9% increase from the 48,898 foreign students recorded in the 2019–20 academic year, underscoring a consistent upward trend over the past five years.
Key Demographics and Origins
The largest contingent of international students hails from Nepal, accounting for 24.1% of the total foreign enrollment. Following Nepal, the United Arab Emirates contributed 7%, while the United States and Bangladesh each represented 5.9%. Nigeria (5.5%) and Zimbabwe (4%) also featured prominently among the top source countries. Collectively, the top ten source nations made up 63.8% of all international enrolments, with students also arriving from countries like Lebanon, Mongolia, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.
Popular Study Destinations in India
Within India, certain states have proven particularly popular among foreign students. Karnataka has emerged as the leading destination, hosting 7,914 international students. It is closely followed by Punjab, which welcomed 7,902 students. Other top states include Maharashtra (6,190), Uttar Pradesh (5,953), and Tamil Nadu (5,694), completing the top five preferred locations for overseas learners.
Course Preferences
Undergraduate programmes continue to be the most sought-after choice for foreign students, attracting 42,779 individuals, which constitutes 73.6% of the total international enrollment. Of these, 27,849 were male students and 14,930 were female students. Postgraduate studies drew 9,845 students (16.8%), with smaller numbers opting for diploma, certificate, integrated, and doctoral courses.
Government Initiatives and Data Collection
The Ministry of Education emphasizes that the increase in international student numbers highlights India's expanding reputation as a hub for higher education. Both male and female enrolments saw significant rises between 2019–20 and 2023–24, with male students increasing from 32,386 to 37,295 and female students from 16,512 to 20,839.
The Study in India Programme
To further bolster this trend, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to the Study in India (SII) programme, launched in 2018. This initiative aims to attract more international students by facilitating their academic pursuits in India through outreach and support services. The ministry states that such programmes are crucial for sustaining momentum and diversifying the global student mix on Indian campuses.
Importance of AISHE Data
The AISHE survey plays a vital role in collecting comprehensive data from higher education institutions across India. It gathers detailed information on student enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, and examination results via a web-based data capture format. This robust data collection serves as the primary official source for higher education statistics, directly informing policy formulation, strategic planning, and ongoing monitoring of the sector.