India is continuing to expand its footprint in global higher education, with universities and colleges attracting thousands of students from across the world. The latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 highlights a sustained rise in overseas enrolment, reflecting the country’s growing reputation for accessible, high-quality academic programmes and a diverse learning environment.
During the 2023-24 academic year, 58,134 international students from 173 countries were enrolled in Indian higher education institutions. The survey, which serves as the government’s official repository of higher education data, compiles information submitted by universities and colleges on student enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, examination performance, and other institutional indicators. The data helps guide policy decisions and long-term planning for the sector.
The latest figures show that India’s international student community has grown considerably over the past five years. Foreign student enrolment increased from 48,898 in 2019-20 to 58,134 in 2023-24, representing an overall growth of 18.9%. The rise was observed among both male and female students, pointing to increasing global interest in pursuing higher education in India.
A large majority of overseas learners chose undergraduate programmes, which accounted for 73.6% of total international enrolment. Postgraduate courses attracted 16.8% of foreign students, while the remaining students were enrolled in doctoral, diploma, certificate, and integrated programmes offered by institutions across the country.
In terms of students’ countries of origin, Nepal remained the leading contributor, accounting for 24.1% of the international student population. The United Arab Emirates followed with 7%, while the United States and Bangladesh each contributed 5.9%. Nigeria represented 5.5%, and Zimbabwe accounted for 4%. Collectively, the top ten source countries made up 63.8% of all international student enrolments during the academic year.
Among Indian states, Karnataka emerged as the most preferred destination for international students with 7,914 enrolments. It was closely followed by Punjab, while Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu also hosted significant numbers of overseas learners, reflecting the strong academic ecosystem across multiple regions.
The survey further shows that India’s campuses are becoming increasingly diverse, welcoming students not only from neighbouring countries but also from regions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Learners from countries such as Lebanon, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mexico, Burkina Faso, and Chile were also part of India’s international student community during the academic year.
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Supporting this trend is the Study in India initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Education to encourage greater international participation in Indian higher education. The programme promotes India as a competitive study destination by showcasing its recognised institutions, affordable education, expanding research opportunities, and multicultural campus experience.
With international enrolment continuing to rise and students arriving from an increasingly diverse range of countries, the latest AISHE findings underline India’s growing role in the global higher education landscape and its efforts to strengthen academic collaboration beyond its borders.
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