The number of Indian students enrolling in U.S. universities reached 4.22 lakh in 2024, up from 1.96 lakh in 2021. The Trump administration’s proposed 15 percent cap on international undergraduates has sparked concern, especially the additional limit of 5 percent per country, including India. Institutions participating in the pilot, such as NYU, Northeastern, Columbia, MIT, USC, and UT-Austin, will need to enforce these limits in exchange for federal funding perks like priority grants and research dollars.
Indian Students Make Up a Significant Share
Indian students currently constitute over 25% of the U.S. international student pool, making the proposed 5 percent per-country cap a major challenge. Ravi Kumar, a Delhi-based education consultant, highlighted the impact: "With Indians forming the largest group, that 5% country cap could slash spots at top universities by half overnight."
Recent Surge in Indian Enrolments
Post-pandemic, Indian enrolments in the U.S. have surged dramatically:
This growth has been driven largely by STEM programs and post-study work opportunities, making India the top sender country, surpassing China with nearly 27% of all foreign enrolments in 2024.
Top Universities and Impact on Aspirants
Elite U.S. universities, including Harvard, Stanford, NYU, and Columbia, are likely to see a significant reduction in Indian students under the 5 percent rule. Many aspirants may be forced to consider alternative countries such as Canada and Australia or less selective U.S. universities. Sukriti Sharma, an 18-year-old aspirant from Bengaluru, expressed concern: "I appeared for JEE Mains, but NYU was my top choice for computer science. Now, what will I do?"
Predicted Ripple Effects
Experts anticipate:
- Increased competition for remaining slots
- Longer visa queues
- Potential 20–30% drop in Indian enrolments if the cap expands beyond the pilot
Education consultants are calling for diplomatic intervention, emphasizing that U.S. universities rely on Indian students for approximately $40 billion in annual revenue
