Study in India Program: A major initiative towards the internationalization of Indian education, the Study in India (Study in India Program) portal has received a record 72,218 students from 200 countries for the academic year 2024-25. After a significant increase in numbers during the academic year 2014-15, there was a notable drop due to COVID-19. However, the government’s new multi-pronged efforts have shown positive results this year.
Decrease in the Number of Foreign Students Due to Covid
The number of foreign students in India was 16,410 during the 2011-12 academic year, rising to 34,774 in 2014-15. This figure increased further, reaching 47,575 in 2016-17 and surpassing 49,000 in 2019-20, before the pandemic. However, according to government sources, the numbers saw a significant decline during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping to levels similar to the 2014-15 figures.
Academic Year and Foreign Student Numbers:
- 2011-12: 16,410
- 2014-15: 34,774
- 2015-16: 42,293
- 2016-17: 47,575
- 2017-18: 46,144
- 2018-19: 47,427
- 2019-20: 49,348
- 2023-24: 64,000
- 2024-25: 72,218
Study in India Portal Launched
Launched as a flagship project by the Ministry of Education in 2018, the Study in India program aimed to position India as a global education hub. Despite initial efforts, the program faced limited success due to various challenges, including the impact of the pandemic (Study in India Program). To address this, the government introduced the Study in India (SII) portal in August 2023. The portal serves as a centralized platform for foreign students to apply for admissions and visas, promoting India’s educational opportunities to a wider international audience.
Here is some exciting news! Applications for the Kotak Suraksha Scholarship Program 2024-25 are now open. If you are currently studying in any general/professional graduation program in India, you have an opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to INR 1,00,000 per year. Know… pic.twitter.com/GolrQloJJ4
— Buddy4Study (@Buddy4Study) December 17, 2024
Government’s Efforts to Align Syllabus with Global Standards
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that India is actively working to reclaim its historic role as a global education hub, drawing inspiration from ancient institutions like Takshashila and Nalanda. Central to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government is pushing for the internationalization of education by aligning syllabi with global standards, encouraging research collaborations, and facilitating academic exchanges to establish India as a leader in global knowledge (Study in India Program).