Fewer students moving abroad to study, report finds: 7 reasons India has become a first choice, not a second thought

Packing your bags and boarding a flight to study overseas once seemed like a “dream come true” moment for Indian students. For decades, the narrative was nearly formulaic: A bright cohort navigating their rite of passage to the West.

A foreign degree was equated with success. The long-cherished belief remained entrenched, global dreams could only be built on foreign soil.However, the good news is that a profound shift is taking root. India, long considered a major contributor to international education, is now becoming the destination itself. A recent report by Vidyashilp University highlights that fewer students are moving abroad, while a growing number are consciously choosing to build their futures within the country.

What was once Plan B is fast becoming Plan A, and for reasons far beyond affordability.

The reversal of an old narrative

For decades, global university rankings, better research infrastructure, and post-study work opportunities have attracted Indian students to foreign countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. While the trend has not flattened yet, it is no longer monolithic.In 2024, flagship education events across India witnessed a turnout of over a thousand students and families, not to mention overseas admissions, but to comprehend what Indian universities could offer.

The response was telling. A structured feedback survey conducted by the Vidyashilp university revealed that 69% of students showed a clear intent to pursue undergraduate education in India, while an additional 20.7% expressed openness to doing so.

These numbers don’t merely reflect convenience—they signal growing confidence.

Why are more Indian students staying home for higher education?

India is slowly becoming the cradle of academic excellence. As global universities are setting up in the country and domestic opportunities are expanding, a multitude of students, professionals, and investors are choosing to stay rooted.

Here are some reasons why Indian students are no longer flocking to foreign lands to attain higher education.A surge in homegrown excellencePremier institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and National Law Universities have transformed undergraduate education to a different level. With new four-year interdisciplinary programmes, liberal arts integration, and research-led pedagogy, Indian campuses are no longer just competitive, they are creative crucibles for global talent.Rise in liberal arts programmesNumerous private universities have disrupted the conventional Indian model with world-class liberal arts programmes. Taught by internationally trained faculty and designed with cross-border academic collaborations, these institutions are reshaping what it means to receive a global education—without ever crossing an ocean.Global faculty, local campusesIn line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, universities are bringing global exposure to Indian soil.

From hosting visiting professors from Europe and North America to establishing Centres of Excellence with international researchers, Indian institutions are ensuring students receive international perspectives without the price tag or visa anxieties.Affordability with accessThe cost of attending top private or public universities in India is a fraction of studying abroad. With robust internship ecosystems, high-quality mentorship, and emerging placements in multinational firms, Indian students now find compelling return-on-investment right at home.The rise of Tier 2 and Tier 3 ambitionThe university report data indicates that 57.2% of Indian students seeking global education now come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, outnumbering their Tier 1 counterparts. But this same demographic is also fuelling domestic enrolment surges. Their motivations? Accessibility, proximity to family, rising trust in local institutions, and clarity that success isn’t geographical.Cultural familiarity, global relevanceFrom a shared legal system and English-medium instruction to a booming tech industry and demographic dividend, India offers a balance of familiarity and opportunity. Students no longer need to erase their cultural identities to access global relevance—they can carry both simultaneously, within Indian borders.Safety, sustainability, and stabilityAmid growing political volatility and student visa uncertainty in parts of the West, India offers a more stable academic environment.

Campuses here are increasingly focusing on mental health, ecological sustainability, and community engagement, priorities that align with Gen Z's evolving values.

A vision for 2030: From recipient to rival

By 2030, experts forecast that India will no longer be seen as an exporter of students but as an equal player in the global education hierarchy. With regions like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu investing in university innovation and research ecosystems, and India aiming to be among the top three countries in artificial intelligence and deep tech, a new identity is taking shape.