India’s international student population is projected to grow by around 8% annually from an estimated base of 58,000 students in 2025, positioning the country among the fastest-growing global study destinations, according to the QS Global Student Flows: India 2026 report shared exclusively with ET Education.
The report suggests that a combination of policy reforms, regional demand from South Asia and Africa, and rising costs in traditional study destinations could accelerate inbound student mobility to India over the next decade.
India has also set an ambitious long-term goal of hosting 500,000 international students by 2047, reflecting the government’s push to position the country as a global education hub.
South Asia remains the largest source of international students
South Asian nations continue to account for nearly half of all international students studying in India, with Nepal and Bangladesh together contributing more than 30% of inbound enrolments.Nepal is expected to remain the fastest-growing source market in the region.
| Source Country/Region | Key Trend | Growth Outlook |
| Nepal | Largest source country for India | ~11% annual growth forecast |
| Bangladesh | Major contributor to inbound enrolment | Continued strong demand |
| Afghanistan | Previously a major source | Growth below 1% due to visa constraints |
| South Asia overall | Nearly half of inbound students | Stable regional demand |
The report notes that geographic proximity, cultural familiarity and relatively lower cost of education continue to make India an attractive destination for students from neighbouring countries.African student mobility towards India gaining momentum
Beyond South Asia, the report highlights a steady rise in demand from African countries, particularly from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Student flows from the region are forecast to grow around 6% annually, driven by large youth populations, limited higher education capacity and India’s affordability advantage.
Zimbabwe has been identified as one of the fastest-growing source markets, with projections suggesting it could move from India’s seventh-largest African source country in 2024 to sixth by 2030.
Meanwhile, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to remain a steady contributor, with students from the UAE projected to account for around 5% of India’s inbound student population by 2030.
Policy reforms strengthening India’s position
Government policy initiatives introduced in recent years are also contributing to the country’s growing appeal among international students.
Important initiatives highlighted in the report include:
- Study in India programme, aimed at promoting Indian institutions globally.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, enabling foreign universities to establish campuses in India.
- Supernumerary seats for international students, with the University Grants Commission allowing institutions to reserve up to 25% additional seats for foreign applicants.
Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, said India is gradually transitioning from being primarily a source of international students to becoming an important destination.
“India is no longer simply the world’s great sender of students — it is becoming a destination in its own right. Our data show inbound enrolments growing at 8 per cent a year through 2030, driven by real structural forces such as government reform, affordability, and a demographic surge across South Asia and Africa that is actively redirecting students toward India,” Turner said.
She added that universities from traditional study destinations are increasingly exploring deeper engagement with India.
“The infrastructure for two-way mobility exists, and the momentum to make that happen is now firmly on both sides of the conversation. Institutions that invest now in campus capacity, student experience and graduate outcomes will be the ones that define India’s reputation as a study destination for the next generation,” she said.
Reputation and infrastructure remain key challenges
Despite the positive outlook, the report highlights several challenges that could affect India’s ability to scale international student enrolments.
One major issue is the gap between employer reputation and academic reputation of Indian institutions globally. While the median employer reputation ranking of Indian universities has improved significantly over the past decade, academic reputation indicators have remained largely unchanged.
Infrastructure and student experience are also areas requiring attention. Rapid growth in international enrolment without proportional investments in:
- campus infrastructure
- student housing
- student support services
could strain institutional capacity.
The report also notes the need for stronger links between universities and industry. A study cited in the report indicates that only 42.6% of Indian graduates are considered employable, highlighting the importance of improving career pathways and work-integrated learning opportunities.
Ashwin Fernandes, Chair, QS India and Vice President for Strategic and International Engagement at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, said recent policy reforms are already shaping global perceptions of India’s higher education system.
“Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India as a global knowledge hub is being validated by the data and by the world’s response to it. The reforms that have taken shape since the National Education Policy 2020 are not incremental adjustments; they are the architecture of a genuine transformation,” Fernandes said.
He added that students from South Asia, Africa and the Gulf are increasingly choosing India, signalling a shift in global higher education dynamics.
