India’s higher education sector continues to attract students from across the world, with Nepal remaining the largest source of international students and Karnataka emerging as the leading destination for foreign enrolments, according to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Ministry of Education. The survey shows that Indian universities and colleges hosted 58,134 foreign students from 173 countries during the 2023-24 academic year, highlighting the country’s growing appeal as an affordable and diverse study destination.
The findings underscore the steady internationalisation of India’s higher education system, supported by initiatives such as the Study in India programme and the expansion of globally recognised universities. Compared with five years ago, foreign student enrolment has grown by nearly 19%, reflecting increasing interest from neighbouring countries, Africa, the Middle East, and other regions.
Foreign Student Enrolment Continues to Grow
The AISHE report recorded a total of 58,134 international students enrolled across Indian higher education institutions in 2023-24.
| Key Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Foreign students enrolled | 58,134 |
| Countries represented | 173 |
| Growth over five years | 18.9% |
| Increase since 2019-20 | 9,236 students |
The survey serves as the government’s primary source of official data on India’s higher education sector, covering enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, and institutional performance.
Nepal Remains the Largest Source Country
Nepal continued to account for the largest share of foreign students studying in India.
The top contributing countries include:
| Country | Share of Foreign Students |
|---|---|
| Nepal | 24.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 7.0% |
| United States | 5.9% |
| Bangladesh | 5.9% |
| Nigeria | 5.5% |
| Zimbabwe | 4.0% |
Together, the top 10 countries contributed 63.8% of all international students enrolled in Indian institutions during the academic year.
Karnataka Leads as Preferred Destination
Among Indian states, Karnataka attracted the highest number of foreign students, narrowly ahead of Punjab.
| State | Foreign Student Enrolment |
|---|---|
| Karnataka | 7,914 |
| Punjab | 7,902 |
| Maharashtra | 6,190 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 5,953 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5,694 |
Karnataka’s strong performance is largely attributed to its concentration of globally recognised universities, engineering colleges, medical institutions, and technology-focused educational ecosystem, particularly in Bengaluru.
Undergraduate Courses Dominate
The majority of international students in India continue to pursue undergraduate programmes.
| Programme Level | Share |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 73.6% |
| Postgraduate | 16.8% |
| Other programmes | 9.6% |
Out of the total foreign enrolment, 42,779 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses, including 27,849 men and 14,930 women.
Why India Continues to Attract Foreign Students
Several factors are contributing to India’s growing appeal among international students.
These include:
- Affordable tuition fees.
- English-medium education.
- Globally recognised universities.
- Strong engineering and medical programmes.
- Cultural and geographical proximity for neighbouring countries.
- Government initiatives such as Study in India.
Students from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East continue to view India as a cost-effective destination offering quality higher education.
Challenges Remain
Despite steady growth, India still attracts significantly fewer international students than major global education destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| Global competition | Students have more destination choices |
| Visa and administrative processes | Can affect enrolment decisions |
| International rankings | Influence university selection |
| Student accommodation | Needs expansion in some cities |
Education experts believe continued investment in research, campus infrastructure, international partnerships, and student services will be important for further increasing foreign enrolment.
What It Means for India’s Higher Education Sector
The latest AISHE findings indicate that India’s efforts to internationalise higher education are gradually yielding results. With 58,134 students from 173 countries, the country continues to strengthen its position as a regional education hub, particularly for students from neighbouring nations. Nepal’s continued dominance as the largest source of international students reflects longstanding educational ties, while Karnataka’s leadership highlights the growing global reputation of its universities and technical institutions.
As India seeks to position itself as a global knowledge economy under initiatives such as Study in India and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, attracting more international students will remain a key priority. Expanding world-class institutions, improving research capabilities, and enhancing the overall student experience could help India further increase its share of the global higher education market in the coming years.
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