Number of Indians studying abroad exceeds 18 lakh, deportation cases on the rise
New Delhi: Parliament was informed on Thursday that over 18.82 lakh Indian students are currently studying in other countries, with the largest number being in the UAE (2.53 lakh), Canada (4.27 lakh), the US (2.55 lakh), Australia (1.96 lakh), and the UK (1.73 lakh).
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh presented this data in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. It revealed that students are spread across 153 countries, ranging from major education hubs to smaller destinations like Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Cyprus, among others, which together host hundreds of Indian medical candidates.
The ministry also provided country-wise figures of students deported or denied entry over the past five years.
The UK deported 170 students, the US deported 45 and denied entry to 62, while Australia deported 114.
Other countries where Indians were deported include Russia (82), Ukraine (13), Georgia (17), Finland (5), and Egypt (2). Kyrgyzstan denied entry to 11 students, while no deportations were recorded from there.
The Minister stated that deportations are primarily due to visa violations, including illegal employment, engaging in unauthorized business activity, failing to maintain a required financial balance, non-payment of university fees, poor attendance, or withdrawal from an academic program.
Many students were denied entry due to incomplete admission documents, failure to meet university enrollment requirements, or inability to answer basic questions about their chosen course.
The Minister emphasized that the Ministry of External Affairs attaches the highest priority to protecting the interests of Indian students abroad.
Missions maintain regular contact with students, engage with universities, and issue advisories warning against fraudulent or unaccredited courses.
The response also emphasizes the Ministry’s advisory to protect Indian students from misleading foreign educational courses in Tajikistan, Suriname, Finland, Latvia, Egypt, Canada, China, Malta, Ireland, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
The response also mentions methods such as MADAD portal registration, 24×7 helpline, open houses, email and social media outreach, as well as the use of the Indian Community Welfare Fund to assist students in distress.
The ministry also cited recent evacuation efforts – including Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Operation Kaveri (Sudan), Operation Ajay (Israel), Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan) and Operation Sindhu (Israel and Iran) – to demonstrate its commitment to the safety of Indian citizens, especially students, during difficult times abroad.
