Government ramps up ‘Study in India’ initiative

India is seeking to strengthen its position as a global education destination by significantly increasing the number of international students studying in the country. The government has set a target of attracting two lakh foreign students annually by 2030 as part of the ‘Study in India’ initiative, according to the officials from the Ministry of Education.

At present, around 50,000 international students enrol in Indian higher education institutes each year. The government now aims to increase this number fourfold over the next five years. Officials said sustained efforts have been underway for the past six to seven months to accelerate international student enrolment.

Expanding infrastructure across universities is central to achieving this goal. The Centre has begun discussions with several institutions, including central and state universities, to prepare campuses for higher international intake. Delhi University (DU) is among the institutes involved in these discussions. 

Officials emphasised that adequate hostel facilities, strong student support systems, and dedicated international offices will be essential to accommodate a larger foreign student population. Since many of the incoming students are expected to enrol in state universities, state governments are also being encouraged to strengthen campus infrastructure and administrative support. 

The initiative was also discussed during the Chief Secretaries’ Conference in January, where officials explored ways states could contribute to the plan. 

In addition, foreign universities setting up campuses in India may also admit international students. Officials believe this could expand academic options, introduce new programmes, and encourage collaborations between Indian and global institutes.

To boost awareness, the government is planning outreach activities in multiple countries, including education fairs, partnerships with foreign universities, and promotional campaigns highlighting Indian higher education. 

According to information shared in the Rajya Sabha in December, 72,218 international students from nearly 200 countries are, at present, studying in India. Officials say the expansion of the ‘Study in India’ initiative aims to further strengthen India’s global academic presence while making campuses more internationally diverse.