India hosted 58,134 international students in 2023-24, marking a 19% increase over five years. Nepal remains the top country of origin, while Karnataka has emerged as the most preferred state for foreign scholars. This trend reflects the growing international footprint of India's higher education sector.
India's higher education sector recorded a steady rise in international interest, with total foreign student enrollment reaching 58,134 in the 2023-24 academic year. According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released by the Ministry of Education, this figure represents an 18.9% growth over the past five years, adding 9,236 new international scholars since 2019-20.
Preferred Educational Hubs
Among Indian states, Karnataka has become the primary destination for international students, hosting 7,914 individuals. The state leads the country in this segment, followed closely by Punjab, which recorded 7,902 enrollments. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu also rank among the top five states, showing a geographical concentration of foreign students in hubs known for established university infrastructure and technical education.
Student Demographics and Program Preferences
The survey highlights a clear preference for undergraduate studies, which account for 73.6% of all international enrollments. Postgraduate programs attract 16.8% of the cohort, while the remainder are distributed across diploma, certificate, and PhD courses. Growth has been steady across genders, with the number of male students rising from 32,386 to 37,295, and female student enrollments growing from 16,512 to 20,839 within the same five-year timeframe.
Impact of the 'Study in India' Initiative
The rising numbers are attributed partly to the 'Study in India' initiative, a government program launched in 2018. The initiative aims to position India as a global educational hub by streamlining admission processes and improving the visibility of Indian institutions to international candidates.
For investors and stakeholders in the education sector, this trend points to a growing market for private university infrastructure, student housing, and specialized tutoring services. As the number of foreign students continues to rise, the ability of states like Karnataka and Punjab to maintain their lead will depend on their capacity to scale student accommodation and maintain high academic standards. Investors may continue to monitor the expansion of private education groups in these top-ranking states, as increased foreign enrollment often correlates with demand for premium educational facilities and modern campus amenities.