As of 2022, 750,365 Indian students were studying abroad. This number rose to 892,989 in 2023, reflecting a post-pandemic surge, but dropped to 759,064 in 2024 – a decline of nearly 15% – as per education ministry data highlighted by union minister of state for education, Sukanta Majumdar, in the Indian parliament.
While this overall decline can be attributed to fluctuating student numbers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, some destinations witnessed significant growth. Notably, the number of Indian students in Russia rose by nearly 34% from 2023 to 2024, while France saw a 14% increase in the same period.
The number of Indian students in Russia grew from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023, and further to 31,444 in 2024, as per the data presented by Majumdar.
Similarly, the number of Indian students heading to France steadily increased from 6,406 in 2022 to 7,484 in 2023, reaching 8,536 in 2024.
Germany also experienced a rise in student numbers from India, increasing from 20,684 in 2022 to 23,296 in 2023, and further to 34,702 in 2024. This represents a nearly 49% increase from 2023.
New Zealand also saw a sharp surge, with the number of Indian students climbing from 1,605 in 2022 to 7,297 in 2024.
While these countries have remained strong alternatives for Indian students in the past decade or so, a range of factors have propelled the upward trajectory in recent years.
In the case of Russia, the country’s medical education attracts thousands of Indian students every year.
According to RACUS, an association of 20 Russian state universities, approximately 5,000 Indian students choose to pursue medicine in Russia.
Unlike India, where medical admissions are highly competitive and expensive, Russian universities do not require entrance exams like the National Eligibility Entrance Test for admission.
“Every year more than 1000 Indian citizens become students of Russian state universities of the RACUS group,” a RACUS spokesperson told The PIE News.
“MBBS, Veterinary Medicine, Aviation and PhD programs have the most interest among Indian applicants.”
The programs offer partial scholarships, guaranteed accommodation (RACUS bonus or up to $200 per year), affordable tuition fees (ranging from $3,000 to $4,500 on average), free educational materials, and low living costs, with food expenses averaging $200–$250 per month, the spokesperson told The PIE, adding that for 2025, it plans to recruit increasing numbers of Indian students.
Applicants face minimal requirements, with no TOEFL, IELTS, or bank guarantee needed, while the invitation letter process is simplified, taking no more than three days for Indian students.
Meanwhile, France’s target of 30,000 Indian students by 2030 has led to a wide range of initiatives aimed at increasing numbers from India.
While Classes Internationales, launched in September 2024, offers Indian students an immersive year-long French language training and academic preparation before their chosen program, Campus France tours in major cities across India are attracting large numbers of prospective students.
In a context where many countries are closing their borders, France has clearly stated a strategy of building a strong, sustainable partnership with India through the youth
Maud Le Bars, Omnes Education
“In a context where many countries are closing their borders, France has clearly stated a strategy of building a strong, sustainable partnership with India through the youth,” explained Maud Le Bars, South Asia area manager, Omnes Education.
“Indian students are among the five nationalities eligible for a two-year post-study stay visa after completing their master’s degree. They are also the only nationality to benefit from the Alumni Visa, which allows them to travel to the Schengen zone for short-term tourism or business trips for up to five years.”
While a survey by Campus France, last year, showing that 87% of international alumni in France found a job in less than a year after their studies, the country’s massive investments in Artificial Intelligence could be also be beneficial to international students, especially Indians.
“The employment opportunities in France and in the Schengen zone are aplenty, for instance, just February 10 2025, during the AI Summit co-presided with India, our president announced that France, a country the size of Karnataka, has attracted €109 billion of private investment in AI,” stated Bars.
“French companies are also investing more and more in India, making France the third biggest foreign employer here. That means that there are a lot of interesting elements for a student from this part of the world,” stated Bars.
According to Bars, France’s shift towards AI may have led some Indian students to choose engineering programs over management courses, although the latter still remains popular among international students.
In Germany, Indian students already form the largest international student cohort, while New Zealand is witnessing post-pandemic growth.
During his ongoing tour in India, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also announced a NZ$260,000 scholarship package under the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025 to further support Indian students.
The rise in student numbers in emerging study destinations comes at a time when the ‘Big Four’ countries are experiencing either a decline or stagnation in overall applications from India. Policy changes, increased costs, and diplomatic issues have contributed to the current trend.
