Indian students abroad: 2026 statistics by country

How many Indian students study abroad?

The Ministry of External Affairs estimates that nearly 1.25 million Indian students were pursuing higher education abroad as of January 2025. This is the number of students already overseas (the stock), not the number leaving each year.

The yearly flow is falling. In a February 2026 written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the government reported Bureau of Immigration data showing about 9.08 lakh Indians travelled abroad to study in 2023, 7.7 lakh in 2024 and 6.26 lakh in 2025, a fall of about 31% in two years (as reported by Business Standard and Times Higher Education).

Indian students by country: the latest official figures

Sources: Open Doors 2025 (IIE), GOV.UK immigration statistics, IRCC, DAAD, Australian Department of Education. Australia's India figure is our calculation from the published 16% share.

The periods differ by country (academic year, visa year, or a single date), so compare the trends rather than adding the figures together.

USA: still the top destination, but new enrolments are falling

• 363,019 Indian students studied in the USA in 2024/25, up 10% on the year before. India stayed ahead of China (265,919).
• Across all countries, 294,253 international students were on OPT (work after study), up 21%. Many Indian graduates use OPT.
• The early warning: participating US universities reported that new international enrolments fell 17% in fall 2025, and graduate enrolments fell 12%.
• Planning a US master's? Read our F-1 rule changes guide and F-1 interview questions.

UK: fewer visas, but India is still a top-two country

• The UK granted 82,523 sponsored study visas to Indian main applicants in the year ending June 2026, 23% of the total. Only China (86,368) received more.
• Indian grants were down 16%, while all study visas fell 11% to 383,455.
• From 1 January 2027 the Graduate visa falls from 2 years to 18 months. See our UK Graduate visa guide and UK student visa guide.

Canada: the biggest fall

• IRCC data shows 510,235 study permit holders from India as of 30 September 2024, about 40% of all international students in Canada, down from 533,305 at the end of 2023.
• Canada capped new study permits for 2025, and new Indian approvals fell sharply as a result.
• Read our Canada student visa guide for the current rules and processing times.

Germany: the fastest-growing choice

• The DAAD reports about 69,000 Indian students in Germany in winter semester 2025/26, the largest group by far, ahead of China (about 39,000). Germany has about 426,200 international students in total.
• Low or no tuition at public universities is the main reason. See study in Germany for free and MS in Germany cost.

Australia: steady share, lower numbers overall

• In the year to August 2026, 738,694 international students studied in Australia, down 8%. India made up 16%, second only to China (23%).
• Masters by coursework is the most popular higher-education level (43%). See Masters in Australia cost and Australia student visa & 485.

How many students go abroad from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?

No official body publishes a state-wise count of students abroad. The best available signal is US visa data: according to figures shared by the US Consulate General in Hyderabad in November 2024, Telangana accounted for 34% and Andhra Pradesh for 22% of US student visas issued to Indians in 2023, a combined 56% (as reported by Business Standard). Hyderabad is one of the busiest US student visa posts in the world.

For students in Telangana, the Telangana overseas scholarship and a well-planned education loan make the biggest difference to the budget.

What do these numbers mean for students going in 2027?

• Competition for US, UK and Canada visas is tougher. Strong finances, a clear study plan and good interview preparation matter more than before.
• Germany and Ireland are growing alternatives for lower cost or post-study work. Compare them in our post-study work comparison and cheapest countries guide.
• Start early. Check deadlines in our 2027 intakes guide.
• Using these figures? Journalists, schools and bloggers are welcome to cite this page; please link to it as the source.

Official sources

Figures on this page were checked on 25 Oct 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm the current numbers on the official site before you pay or apply.

• MEA: Students Registration Portal (1.25 million estimate)
• Open Doors 2025 press release (IIE, 17 Nov 2025)
• GOV.UK: Why do people come to the UK? Study (YE June 2026)
• IRCC: International student population (briefing, 4 Mar 2025)
• DAAD press release, 14 Oct 2026
• Australian Department of Education: international student monthly summary
• Business Standard: Indian students going abroad fall 31% in 3 years (Rajya Sabha reply)
• Business Standard: US consulate on Telangana and AP student visa share (Nov 2024)