Study in India Portal Achieves Milestone: Over 72,000 Students from 200 Countries Enroll for 2024-25

In a landmark achievement for India’s education sector, the Study in India Portal has attracted 72,218 students from 200 countries for the 2024-25 academic year. This record-breaking figure underscores India’s resurgence as a global education hub, reflecting the government’s strategic push toward internationalization.

The study in India portal, launched by the Ministry of Education in August 2023, serves as a centralized platform for admissions and visa applications. The study in India platform has significantly enhanced India’s appeal to global students by offering streamlined processes and featuring over 8,000 courses across 638 institutions—including 310 public universities. With an integrated e-Student Visa system, the initiative has made transitioning to Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) seamless for foreign applicants.

A Decade of Transformation: Growth Amid Challenges

The rise of international students choosing India is a testament to sustained efforts since 2014-15. From just 16,410 foreign students in 2011-12, the numbers soared to 34,774 by 2014-15, and 47,575 in 2016-17. The pre-pandemic figure of 49,000 in 2019-20 reflected steady growth before the global disruption caused by COVID-19.

During the pandemic, international student enrollment plummeted, returning to 2014-15 levels. However, the launch of the Study in India Portal and the government’s multi-pronged strategy to rebuild this ecosystem have revitalized the initiative, bringing unparalleled success in 2024-25.

Study in India: Driving Forces Behind the Success

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been instrumental in leading this transformation. “India is actively reclaiming its historic role as a global education hub, reminiscent of ancient institutions like Takshashila and Nalanda,” Pradhan remarked. With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as its foundation, India is aligning curricula with global standards, fostering academic partnerships, and enabling research collaborations.

A series of groundbreaking measures have also played a pivotal role:

1. Global Campus Expansion: Indian institutions like IIT-Madras and IIT-Delhi have established campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, respectively, aligning with UGC’s regulations for offshore operations.
2. Foreign Universities in India: Institutions such as Deakin University, University of Wollongong, and University of Southampton have commenced their India operations.
3. Academic Partnerships: India has signed agreements with nations like Germany, Singapore, and the UAE, bolstering bilateral educational ties. Recent discussions with Johns Hopkins University aim to establish its campus in India.
4. Collaborative Programs: Joint, dual, and twinning degree programs, enabled by UGC guidelines, have flourished, with 49 Indian universities partnering with international institutions.

Beyond Admissions: Strengthening Research and Innovation

The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) has further elevated India’s global standing in education. With 787 research proposals across 28 countries focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, disaster management, and sustainable cities, India is poised to lead critical global conversations.

Additionally, the NEP 2020 emphasizes skill development, fostering innovation, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. These efforts collectively position India as a leader in knowledge dissemination and innovation.

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