11 Lakh International Students by 2047? India’s Education Push Faces Hurdles, according to a new government-backed assessment on the future of higher education. The report outlines how India could emerge as a major global education destination by the centenary year of Independence. It also flags deep structural gaps that universities must address to achieve this ambition. The findings link higher education reforms to the broader national vision of a developed India by 2047.
Government Report on Internationalisation of Higher Education in India
The assessment has been released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with IIT Madras and the Association of Indian Universities. Titled Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential and Policy Recommendations, the report evaluates India’s ability to attract global learners. It states that India has the scale, demographic advantage and policy momentum to draw international students, but institutional reform will be critical for sustained success.
Current Status of International Students in India
India already operates the world’s second-largest higher education system, with more than 1,200 universities and close to 40 million enrolled students. The country also has one of the youngest populations globally, with an average age slightly above 28 years. Despite this scale, inbound international enrolment remains limited. In 2021–22, India hosted fewer than 50,000 foreign students, while more than 11 lakh Indian students pursued higher education abroad. The report identifies this imbalance as a major structural challenge.
Economic and Talent Cost of Studying Abroad
The report highlights the economic consequences of outbound student mobility. Indian households are estimated to spend tens of billions of dollars each year on overseas education. By 2022, spending by Indian students abroad was estimated at nearly USD 47 billion, with projections indicating further growth if current trends continue. Beyond finances, the report notes that large-scale outward migration also contributes to domestic talent shortages in sectors such as research, healthcare, technology and advanced manufacturing.
Why India Struggles to Attract Global Students?
Several systemic issues discourage international enrolment. These include limited research infrastructure, outdated curricula, weak industry-academia collaboration and insufficient global exposure on most campuses. While elite institutions have international visibility, the broader university ecosystem struggles to offer comparable academic depth. As a result, families often view foreign degrees as a gateway to better career mobility and global recognition.
International Student Projections for 2047
The report presents two forecasting models outlining possible growth in inbound enrolment. By 2030, international student numbers could rise to between 85,000 and 1.5 lakh. By 2035, enrolment could approach 3.6 lakh. By 2047, India could host anywhere between 3 lakh and nearly 11 lakh international students, depending on the pace and effectiveness of reforms. This would represent a fundamental shift in India’s global education role.
Structural Reforms Needed to Meet the 2047 Target
The report calls for a national strategy focused on “internationalisation at home”. Key measures include joint degree programmes, foreign faculty exchanges, globally aligned curricula and stronger research collaboration. It also recommends developing higher education hubs, drawing inspiration from global models in Singapore, the UAE and Europe. Strengthening research funding and reducing administrative barriers are identified as essential steps.
