Canada continues to be the top destination for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad in 2024–25, according to NITI Aayog’s report on the internationalisation of higher education. Around 4.27 lakh Indian students were enrolled in Canada in 2024, marking a sharp rise over previous years.
The United States, traditionally the leading choice, moved to the second position with approximately 3.38 lakh Indian students in 2024. This reflects a gradual decline from 2016 levels, despite the country remaining a key hub for advanced research and professional education.
The United Kingdom climbed to the third spot, overtaking Australia. Indian student enrolments in the UK increased steadily, reaching about 1.85 lakh in 2024. Australia slipped to fourth place, even though its Indian student numbers rose modestly to around 1.22 lakh.
Germany retained its position among the top five destinations, while newer entrants such as the UAE and Kyrgyzstan appeared in the top ten for the first time in 2024. Countries like Russia, Georgia, and the Philippines continued to attract Indian students, mainly due to lower education costs, especially in medical and technical courses.
The report highlights that Indian students are increasingly diversifying their study abroad choices, driven by affordability, course demand, and evolving global education policies.
