From Which State do the Highest Number of Students Go Abroad to Study?

In recent years, the number of students travelling abroad from India for higher studies has risen rapidly. While approximately 6,80,000 students went overseas to study in 2016, that figure surged to 13,35,000 by 2024. Although there was a brief decline during the pandemic, interest in international education has since regained momentum. An analysis by NITI Aayog indicates that certain specific states have emerged as major sources of students pursuing education abroad.

Studying abroad is no longer only a dream; for many Indian families, it has become a concrete plan. Every year, thousands of students leave the country in chase of quality education, international exposure, employment opportunities, and a better standard of living. In my view, identifying which states are sending the highest number of students abroad also provides valuable insights into the country's broader educational and economic trends.

Among Indian students, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia remain some of the most popular destinations. Notably, Indian enrollment has surged rapidly in the UK and Canada. According to government data, India's outbound student mobility has consistently risen; from 680,000 in 2016, it grew to 13,35,000 in 2024, marking a nearly double increase within just a few years.

According to data from 2020, the top 10 states and Union Territories in terms of the number of students going abroad for studies were: Andhra Pradesh – 35,614, Punjab – 33,412, Maharashtra – 29,079, Gujarat – 23,156, Delhi – 18,482, Tamil Nadu – 15,564, Kerala – 15,277, Chandigarh – 13,988, Karnataka – 13,699, and Uttar Pradesh – 8,618.

Although Maharashtra ranked second in 2016, it subsequently slipped to third place. In 2016, the figure stood at 45,560; however, by 2020, that number had declined to 29,079. The pandemic, rising costs, and increased local opportunities are likely contributing factors to this decline. Conversely, Andhra Pradesh maintained the top position in all three years—2016, 2018, and 2020. The reasons cited for this include a strong interest in STEM courses, a propensity for working abroad, the influence of the IT sector, and a family-centric migration culture.

Punjab rise up from third to second place in 2018 and maintained this position until 2020. Students from Punjab, in particular, prove a strong inclination toward migrating to Canada. In my opinion, the primary reasons for pursuing studies abroad are world-class education, research opportunities, access to the global job market, the prospect of permanent residency, and high salaries.