US and Canada No Longer the Top Choice? Indian Students Turn to Russia & France

A significant shift is emerging in the study-abroad preferences of Indian students. The latest data reveals a 13% decline in applications to the United States, a trend that has sparked concern among American universities and policymakers. Meanwhile, Russia, Germany, and France have recorded a substantial increase in Indian student enrolments.

US Sees Decline Amid Policy Uncertainty and Rising Costs

Christopher Clary, an associate professor at the University at Albany, highlighted the 13% decline in Indian student enrollment in the US between 2023 and 2024. He attributed this trend to multiple factors, including:

• Depreciating Rupee: The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar, increasing tuition and living expenses. In March 2023, ₹81.71 to ₹82.72 was equivalent to one US dollar. By March 2025, the exchange rate had risen to ₹87.34 per dollar, making studying in the US significantly costlier.
• Policy Uncertainty: The possibility of Donald Trump’s return to office has led to concerns over potential visa restrictions, affecting student choices.

Overall Drop in Indian Students Going Abroad

Indian government data suggests that the total number of Indian students studying abroad fell by nearly 15% in 2024 compared to 2023. The biggest decline was recorded in Canada, which saw a staggering 41% drop in Indian student enrolments.

Key Data Points:

• 2022: 7,50,365 Indian students studied abroad.
• 2023: The number rose to 8,92,989, reflecting a post-pandemic increase.
• 2024: The count fell to 7,59,064, marking a 15% decline.

Canada Witnesses the Sharpest Drop

Canada experienced the most significant fall, with Indian student numbers plunging by 41%, from 2,33,532 in 2023 to 1,37,608 in 2024.

This sharp decline follows:

• Stricter visa regulations leading to increased rejection rates.
• Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, which escalated following the diplomatic fallout over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case.
• Tighter scrutiny of applications and potential study permit cancellations.

Other Key Destinations See a Decline

Apart from the US and Canada, major destinations such as the UK, Australia, and China also witnessed a fall in Indian student numbers.

UK: The drop in Indian students is linked to stricter visa rules and changes in post-study work policies.

Australia: Higher visa fees, stricter entry requirements, and housing affordability concerns have contributed to the decline.

China: A reduction in Indian students was recorded, potentially due to post-pandemic geopolitical considerations.

Russia, Germany, and France See a Surge in Indian Students

Despite the overall decline, some destinations have recorded a significant rise in Indian student enrolments.

• Russia: Offers affordable tuition fees and medical education opportunities, making it a preferred choice for Indian students.
• Germany: Attracted 49% more Indian students, possibly due to its tuition-free public universities and high demand for STEM graduates.
• France: Saw steady growth in Indian enrolments, driven by its scholarships and post-study work opportunities.
• New Zealand: Witnessed a 69.7% increase, likely due to improved visa policies and employment prospects.

What Lies Ahead?

The shifting preferences of Indian students highlight the importance of cost considerations, visa policies, and diplomatic relations in their decision-making. While the US and UK have long been top choices, emerging destinations like Russia and Germany are becoming increasingly attractive due to affordability and favourable study conditions.

As nations compete for international students, it remains to be seen how these trends evolve in the coming years and whether traditional study destinations will adapt to regain their appeal among Indian students.

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