In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh tabled data and figures on the emigrant students studying abroad to pursue studies. Through the response, the government said that over 13 lakh Indian students are currently pursuing higher education abroad in nearly 108 countries.

The minister shared country-wise details of the Indian students studying abroad in countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Russia, Israel and Ukraine. As per the data furnished by the government in 2024, a total of 13,35,878 Indian students are pursuing higher studies abroad which is higher than the 13,18,955 and 9,07,404 in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

As per the government figures, in the current year, out of the 13 lakh students highest number of students are studying in institutions in Canada followed by the USA. A total of 4,27,000 are studying in Canada, 3,37,630 are in the US, 8580 are in China, 900 in Israel, 2510 in Ukraine, 14 in Pakistan, and 8 in Greece.

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Indian missions and posts abroad constantly support and engage with Indian students and encourage them to register with them or on the Global Rishta Portal. Welcome ceremonies are organised for Indian students who travel abroad for the first time. The security of these students is also ensured by the consulates and missions. Indian missions also coordinate with the concerned authorities in the host country to get the data on the number of the Indian students, the minister said.

In response to one more question about the government of India’s support to students abroad, the minister said that governemtn make continuous efforts to increase the number of countries to give visa free entry, visa on arrival facilities to Indias for ease of travelling.