With millions of Indians studying abroad and student mobility patterns shifting towards Europe and the Middle East, rising geopolitical tensions have prompted India to consider stronger coordination and evacuation planning measures.
According to reports, the lack of a dedicated government database of Indians studying abroad – with authorities largely relying on student visa data released by destination countries and estimates compiled by Indian missions – has prompted awareness campaigns encouraging students to register with embassies and high commissions, particularly following recent conflict-related evacuations.
Though the MEA launched the MADAD (“help” in Hindi) portal a decade ago for overseas grievance redressal, registrations remain low, with only around 41,000 students signed up so far.
Reports suggest voluntary registrations with Indian missions abroad also remain limited, sometimes accounting for less than 10% of the actual student population in a country even after advisories are issued.
The measures could include revamping the MADAD portal or launching a new platform for Indians going abroad for education and employment, with outreach focused on major destinations including the US, China, Germany and Canada, alongside emerging medical education hubs like Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Beyond improving coordination during conflicts, the database is also expected to support orientation and outreach efforts for students navigating challenges related to local language, culture, laws and documentation, with industry experts suggesting the platform could evolve into a more student-centric support system.
“A student does not become vulnerable only during a war, conflict, or evacuation. In many cases, the challenge begins much earlier, when they land in a new country without fully understanding tenancy contracts, local laws, emergency systems, housing processes, or even how to identify a legitimate accommodation listing,” Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living, told The PIE News.
“Housing deserves particular attention because it is often the first major financial commitment a student makes abroad. If students misunderstand lease terms, deal with unverified landlords, or choose housing without enough awareness of safety or connectivity, the impact goes far beyond finances. It affects their confidence, wellbeing, and overall student experience.”
Though outbound university enrolments from India fell last year after three consecutive years of growth, delegates at The PIE Live India 2026 heard that overseas tuition and living expenses by Indian students still amount to an estimated INR 6.3 trillion – roughly 2% of India’s GDP – underlining the scale and economic significance of India’s outbound student market.
The growing shift towards lower-cost destinations in Europe and Asia has already prompted Indian diplomats in some countries to step up engagement with educational institutions and student groups to better address student concerns. One such example is Georgia.
Georgia – an emerging hub for Indian medical students – India’s first full-time ambassador to the country, Amit Mishra, told The Indian Express that the embassy has recently increased engagement with student groups and institutions amid issues related to visa deadlines, documentation and other student-related concerns, while also encouraging students to register with the mission for better coordination and support.
“One significant shift is the rapid movement of Indian students towards newer and comparatively less regulated destinations, particularly in segments such as medical education,” stated Siddharth Iyer, COO of OneStep Global.
“Cost considerations are understandably influencing these decisions, but in many cases students and families are entering ecosystems where local support structures, regulatory familiarity, and community networks are still evolving,” he said, adding that students often continue to make high-stakes international education decisions based on fragmented guidance, social media narratives or informal agent networks rather than structured institutional information.
“As international student mobility becomes more complex, preparedness will become as important as access,” Iyer added.
The strongest model would involve collaboration between MEA, Indian missions, universities, verified housing providers, education platforms, and student communities
Saurabh Arora, University Living
According to Arora, the growing number of student welfare cases handled by Indian missions abroad – ranging from financial distress and visa issues to medical emergencies and misleading academic practices – highlights the need for stronger awareness and preparedness systems, with private organisations potentially helping provide more real-time, on-ground visibility into the student journey.
“I do not think this should be approached as a government-only initiative. The strongest model would involve collaboration between MEA, Indian missions, universities, verified housing providers, education platforms, and student communities,” he stated.
“India’s outbound student ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last decade. As students spread across a wider range of countries and cities, awareness and support systems also need to become more practical, localised, and coordinated. A national platform can become a very meaningful step in that direction if it is built around the real day-to-day experiences of students abroad.”
