Last Updated: 12 July 2026
India has recorded a steady rise in international student enrolment over the past decade, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. The report shows that 58,134 international students from 173 countries were enrolled in Indian higher education institutions during the 2023-24 academic session, compared with 39,517 students from 158 countries in 2013-14. This represents an increase of 18,617 students, or nearly 47% over ten years.
AISHE is the Government of India’s principal statistical survey on higher education and is used to monitor enrolment trends, institutional performance and policy outcomes. The latest findings provide an overview of international enrolment patterns, preferred study destinations and programme choices across Indian institutions.
Verification Note: The figures in this article are based on the AISHE 2023-24 report and relate to the 2023-24 academic session unless otherwise specified.
International Enrolment Continues to Grow
The survey recorded a sustained increase in overseas enrolment. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, international student numbers rose from 48,898 to 58,134, reflecting a growth of 18.9% over five academic years.
|
Academic Year |
International Students |
Countries Represented |
|
2013-14 (Historical) |
39,517 |
158 |
|
2019-20 (Historical) |
48,898 |
— |
|
2023-24 (Current Reporting Period) |
58,134 |
173 |
The report also notes that India attracted students from 15 additional countries during the decade, indicating a broader international presence.
Nepal Remains the Leading Source Country
Nepal continued to be the largest source of international students, accounting for 24.1% of total enrolment in 2023-24, up from 21% in 2013-14.
|
Top Source Countries (2023-24) |
|
Nepal |
|
UAE |
|
United States |
|
Bangladesh |
|
Nigeria |
|
Zimbabwe |
The report also recorded enrolments from countries including Lebanon, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mexico, Burkina Faso and Chile. However, the top ten source countries together accounted for 63.8% of all international students.
Karnataka Hosts the Highest Number of International Students
Well-established education hubs continued to attract the largest share of overseas learners.
|
State |
International Students |
|
Karnataka |
7,914 |
|
Punjab |
7,902 |
|
Maharashtra |
6,190 |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
5,953 |
|
Tamil Nadu |
5,694 |
Undergraduate Programmes Continue to Dominate
Undergraduate courses remained the preferred choice, accounting for 42,779 enrolments (73.6%). Postgraduate programmes recorded 9,845 enrolments, while the remaining students pursued diploma, doctoral, certificate and integrated courses.
Among individual programmes, B.Tech attracted the highest number of international students, followed by B.Sc., B.B.A. and MBBS.
|
Programme |
International Students |
|
B.Tech |
14,900 |
|
B.Sc. |
4,589 |
|
B.B.A. |
3,641 |
|
MBBS |
1,117 |
The survey further states that 15 academic programmes each enrolled more than 1,000 international students, reflecting a broad range of academic interests.
Policy Context
The Ministry of Education launched the Study in India (SII) programme in 2018 to strengthen India’s position as an international education destination by improving global visibility and simplifying admissions for overseas applicants. AISHE data provides an evidence base for assessing the progress of such initiatives and informing future higher education policy.
Conclusion
The AISHE 2023-24 findings indicate continued growth in India’s international student enrolment alongside changing trends in source countries, destination states and programme preferences. The report also serves as an important benchmark for tracking the internationalisation of India’s higher education sector and supporting evidence-based policy decisions.
Official Source
Source: All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Reporting Period: Academic Session 2023-24.
Retrieved: July 2026.
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Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on the official AISHE 2023-24 report available at the time of writing. Government publications and policies may be updated subsequently. Readers should verify the latest information through the Ministry of Education and the Department of Higher Education, as official documents take precedence over this article.