Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar recently called attention to a phenomenon that has been silently reshaping the country’s future: the growing number of Indian students leaving to study abroad. Referring to it as a “new disease” among children, he lamented not only the financial burden on families and the nation but also the long-term implications of what is popularly known as ‘brain drain’.
Over 1.33 million Indian students ventured overseas for education in 2024, a staggering rise from previous years, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a pursuit fuelled by ambition and opportunity, yet one that highlights deep-seated issues in India's educational and economic landscape.
The lure of foreign education is not new, but its scale has reached unprecedented levels. Historically, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have been magnets for Indian students. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the number of Indian students abroad increased from 13,18,955 in 2023 to 13,35,878 in 2024. Canada led as the top destination with 4,27,000 students, followed by the USA (3,37,630), the UK (1,85,000), Australia (1,22,202), and Germany (42,997). Medical education drove significant migration to East and Central Asia, with Georgia (16,093), China (8,580), and the Philippines (9,665) emerging as key destinations. The Ukraine-Russia conflict notably reduced Indian student numbers in Ukraine from 11,987 in 2023 to 2,510 in 2024. Beyond these, countries such as Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands are also gaining traction, offering high-quality education, affordable tuition fees, and attractive post-study work opportunities.
At the heart of this migration lies a simple truth: India’s higher education system and society in the broader sense struggle to meet the aspirations of its young population. Each year, millions of students graduate high school, but the number of seats available in premier institutions remains woefully inadequate. Competitive exams like NEET and JEE, which determine entry into medical and engineering schools, witness success rates so low that they verge on the absurd.
In 2023, over 2.2 million candidates vied for just 1,00,000 medical seats. For those who do secure admission, the quality of education often fails to inspire confidence. The majority of Indian universities lag behind global standards, with outdated syllabi, inadequate research opportunities, and a severe shortage of qualified faculty. Further, over the past two decades, student suicides in India have grown at an alarming annual rate of 4 per cent, double the national average, with 2022 witnessing male students constituting 53 per cent of total student suicides, a 6 per cent decrease from the previous year, while female student suicides increased.
Even for students who manage to graduate from Indian institutions, the job market presents another grim reality. The wage gap between India and developed countries is striking. A software engineer in the US or Canada earns many times more than their counterpart in India, even after accounting for the cost of living. Beyond monetary rewards, there’s also the allure of global exposure, better infrastructure, and a more innovation-friendly work environment. It’s no wonder that a degree from an abroad university is often seen as a passport to a better life.
This growing exodus, however, comes with significant costs for India. The term “brain drain” might sound cliché, but its impact is real and far-reaching. When students choose to stay abroad after completing their studies, India loses some of its brightest minds—doctors, engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs—who could have otherwise contributed to the nation’s growth. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), approximately 69,000 Indian-trained physicians and nearly 56,000 Indian-trained nurses were employed in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Today, These numbers are undoubtedly higher. highlights the global demand for medical professionals, and while their contributions enrich the societies they migrate to, their absence leaves critical gaps back home, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education.
The economic toll is equally troubling. Indian families spend billions of dollars annually on tuition fees and living expenses for their children studying abroad. This money, which could have been invested in strengthening India’s education system, flows out of the country. As per the Human Flight and Brain Drain Index, India's score in 2023 was 4.9, reflecting a gradual improvement since 2018, reflecting a moderate but persistent problem. While the remittances sent back by the Indian diaspora offer some consolation, they are no substitute for the loss of talent and resources.
Critics might argue that this is merely the price of globalisation—a natural byproduct of an interconnected world where talent moves freely. But the scale at which this is happening in India suggests deeper systemic issues that require urgent attention. It’s not that Indian students lack ambition or ability; rather, the system often fails to provide them with the opportunities they deserve.
The commercialisation of education in India is a case in point. Private institutions, while filling some of the gaps left by the public sector, are increasingly driven by profit rather than academic excellence. This has led to skyrocketing tuition fees without corresponding improvements in quality or funding assistance. Meanwhile, public institutions suffer from chronic underfunding. While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines a vision for transformative reforms, its implementation has been patchy, and recent budget cuts have only compounded the problem.
Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. For starters, the government must invest significantly more in higher education, focusing on improving infrastructure, updating curricula, and hiring competent faculty. Expanding the capacity of existing institutions and establishing new ones can help accommodate the growing demand. Research and innovation need to be prioritised, with universities encouraged to collaborate with industries and global institutions. Scholarships and affordable education loans can make quality education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, reducing the financial pressures that often push families toward foreign universities.
At the same time, policymakers must work to retain talent by creating an ecosystem that rewards excellence. This means not only offering competitive salaries but also fostering an environment where innovation is valued and supported. Initiatives like Startup India and Make in India are steps in the right direction but need to be scaled up and integrated with the education system. Additionally, promoting partnerships with international universities to offer joint degree programs can provide students with global exposure without requiring them to leave the country.
It’s also essential to shift societal attitudes toward education and employment. The obsession with foreign degrees often stems from a belief that they are inherently superior. While there is some truth to the higher standards maintained by many international institutions, they also reflect the inadequacies in India’s system. By improving domestic education and highlighting the success stories of those who have chosen to stay and contribute to India, this perception can be gradually changed.
Ultimately, the desire to study abroad is not inherently negative. It reflects the aspirations of India’s youth to achieve their full potential. But when this trend becomes a one-way street, with talent leaving and rarely returning, it poses a significant challenge to the nation’s development. As the Vice President noted, this is a moment for introspection. It’s not just about lamenting the loss of our brightest minds but about creating the conditions that make them want to stay.
India’s demographic dividend is one of its greatest strengths, but it is also a ticking clock. By 2050, the country’s working-age population will begin to decline, making it all the more critical to harness the potential of today’s youth. Ensuring that they have access to world-class education and opportunities at home is not just an investment in their future but in the nation’s as well. The challenge is daunting, but with the right policies, political will, and societal support, it is far from insurmountable.
Amal Chandra is an author, policy analyst, and columnist (‘X’: @ens_socialis) and Sanija M. is a Junior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor for Political Science (‘X’: @SanijaMithran).
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
