Foreign Students in India: Now higher education in India is not limited only to the students of the country. A large number of students from many countries of the world are continuously coming here to study. Recently, many important figures related to foreign students have come to light in the report of All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Ministry of Education. According to the report, during the year 2023-24, students from 173 countries took admission in Indian universities and colleges. Most of these students have come from Nepal. Talking about states, Karnataka has emerged as the most preferred state for foreign students. In such a situation, let us know which are the top states that become the first choice of foreign students.

Students from 173 countries took admission in India

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, a total of 58,134 foreign students took admission in Indian universities and colleges in the academic session 2023-24. This survey is prepared by collecting information from higher educational institutions across the country through online medium. It includes many information like admission of students, teachers, employees, infrastructure and examination results. This report is considered the basis for making and monitoring policies related to higher education.

Most foreign students arrived from Nepal

According to the report, the largest share of foreign students coming to study in India is from Nepal. Of the total foreign students, 24.1 percent students have come from Nepal. After this, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is included with 7 percent, America with 5.9 percent, Bangladesh with 5.9 percent, Nigeria with 5.5 percent and Zimbabwe with 4 percent share. The report also states that the share of top 10 countries in the total number of foreign students was 63.8 percent.

Which are the top states becoming the first choice of foreign students?

Karnataka has emerged as the biggest education center for foreign students. 7,914 foreign students took admission in higher educational institutions here. After this, Punjab remained at second place, where 7,902 students are studying. Apart from this, 6,190 foreign students took admission in Maharashtra, 5,953 in Uttar Pradesh and 5,694 in Tamil Nadu. These five states were among the states that attract foreign students the most.

Students arrived from these countries also

Apart from Nepal, UAE, America, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, students from many other countries including Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Chile also took admission in higher educational institutions of India in the year 2023-24. The Ministry of Education had started the Study in India program in the year 2018 with the aim of encouraging foreign students to pursue higher education in India. Its objective is to attract students from different countries of the world to study in Indian universities and colleges.

Also read – Rajasthan Senior Teacher Recruitment Exam: Senior teacher recruitment exam started in Rajasthan amidst strict arrangements, recruitment is to be done on 9651 posts.

Most students chose undergraduate courses

According to the report, most of the foreign students coming to India took admission in Undergraduate (UG) courses. Of the total foreign students studying in India, 73.6 percent i.e. 42,779 students are pursuing graduation. These include 27,849 male and 14,930 female students. Whereas 9,845 students have taken admission in Postgraduate (PG) course. Apart from this, some students are also studying in Diploma, PhD, Certificate and Integrated courses.

Number of foreign students increased in five years

According to AISHE report, the number of foreign students in India has increased continuously in the last five years. While there were 48,898 foreign students in the year 2019-20, this number increased to 58,134 in 2023-24. According to the report, during this period the number of foreign students has increased in both male and female categories. The number of male students increased from 32,386 to 37,295, while the number of female students increased from 16,512 to 20,839.

Also read – DRDO Paid Internship 2026: DRDO starts paid internship program, apply till July 15

Education Loan Information:
Calculate Education Loan EMI