The number of foreign students in India has risen by 47% over the last decade, crossing the 58,000 mark, with Nepal consistently remaining the largest source country.

India is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for higher education, attracting students not only from within the country but from across the globe. The past ten years have witnessed a significant increase in the number of foreign students enrolling in Indian universities and colleges. Interestingly, it is not just the total number of students that has grown; students from a far wider range of countries are now turning to Indian institutions compared to the past.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Education, 58,134 foreign students from 173 countries were pursuing their studies at various Indian universities and colleges during the 2023-24 academic session. A comparison with data from a decade ago—the 2013-14 academic year—reveals that 39,517 foreign students from 158 countries were enrolled in India at that time. This represents an increase of over 18,600 students—a rise of approximately 47 percent—over the decade. Additionally, the number of countries from which students come to study in India has risen from 158 to 173.

Regarding the countries of origin, Nepal consistently remains the largest source of foreign students for India. In the 2023-24 academic year, students from Nepal accounted for 24.1 percent of the total foreign student population in India. While Nepal held the top spot a decade ago as well, its share was approximately 21 percent at that time. This clearly indicates a growing confidence among Nepali students in Indian educational institutions.

Top Sources of Students

However, the landscape regarding other countries has shifted significantly over the past decade. In 2013-14, the countries sending the highest number of students to India—after Nepal—were Afghanistan, Bhutan, Malaysia, Sudan, and Iraq. That list has now undergone a complete transformation. Currently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks second after Nepal. It is followed by the United States and Bangladesh, while Nigeria and Zimbabwe have also emerged as key countries sending students to India for education.

A new report indicates that India’s reach now extends to more countries than ever before. Students from nations such as Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Chile are also pursuing education at Indian institutions. This suggests that the recognition of Indian higher education is no longer confined to neighboring countries; its appeal has grown across various parts of the world.

Although the countries of origin for foreign students have shifted, the dominance of the top 10 nations remains intact. In the 2013-14 academic year, approximately 65 percent of all foreign students came from just the top 10 countries. In 2023-24, this figure stood at 63.8 percent, indicating that the majority of foreign students still arrive in India from a select few nations.

Highest Number of Foreign Students

According to the report, most foreign students coming to India prioritize undergraduate (UG) courses. About 73.6 percent of the total foreign student population is pursuing studies at the undergraduate level. In terms of states, Karnataka has emerged as the top choice for foreign students, hosting the highest number—7,914—of them. It is followed by Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.