India’s higher education sector saw foreign enrolments rise from 39,517 to 58,134 between 2013‑14 and 2023‑24, a 47% jump. Nepal remains the top source country, accounting for 24.1% of all international students.

Key Takeaways

  • Foreign student enrolment grew 47% in ten years
  • Nepal holds 24.1% share, remaining the largest source
  • Karnataka, Punjab, Maharashtra are top destination states

India has recorded a striking acceleration in attracting overseas students over the past decade. According to the Ministry of Education, the 2023‑24 academic year saw 58,134 foreign students from 173 nations enrolled in Indian universities and colleges, up from 39,517 students from 158 nations in 2013‑14. This increase of 18,617 students translates to an almost 47% rise, while the diversity of source countries expanded by 15.

Nepal’s Persistent Dominance

Nepal contributed 24.1% of all foreign enrolments in 2023‑24, up from 21% a decade earlier, cementing its status as India’s single largest source country for two consecutive periods. The sustained flow is driven by the open‑border agreement, comparatively affordable tuition, and the global recognition of Indian degrees.

Shifting Landscape of Source Countries

In 2013‑14, Afghanistan (8%), Bhutan (7%), Malaysia (6%), Sudan (5%) and Iraq (5%) followed Nepal among the top contributors. By 2023‑24 the hierarchy had altered: the United Arab Emirates now accounts for 7%, the United States and Bangladesh each hold 5.9%, Nigeria 5.5% and Zimbabwe 4%. New entrants such as Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Chile illustrate a broader geographic spread.

Program Levels and State‑wise Distribution

Undergraduate programmes dominate the preferences of international students, representing 73.6% of all foreign enrolments. Karnataka emerged as the leading destination with 7,914 students, followed by Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu – a pattern that underscores the strength of technical and engineering institutions in these regions.

Impact of the ‘Study in India’ Initiative

Launched in 2018, the ‘Study in India’ programme was designed to market Indian higher‑education institutions abroad. Since the 2019‑20 cycle, foreign enrolments have risen steadily from 48,898 to 58,134, confirming the initiative’s effectiveness. Beyond revenue, this influx enriches academic discourse, fuels research collaborations, and deepens cultural exchange.