India’s Brain Drain: Thirty lakh students abroad in 5 years, government responds

USA and Canada top list of preferred destinations for Indian students

JAMMU: The phenomenon of Indian students pursuing higher education abroad has been steadily increasing, with the government taking proactive measures to address the potential issue of "brain drain."
As per data shared by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, nearly 30 lakh students have gone overseas for higher studies over the past five years.
Dr. Majumdar informed the Rajya Sabha that while the Ministry of Education does not maintain specific records on this topic, data from the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) reveals that 29,33,899 Indians disclosed their purpose of visit as study or education during this period.
A year-wise breakdown shows significant variations influenced by global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, 5,86,337 students traveled abroad for education. This number fell to 2,59,655 in 2020 but rebounded to 4,44,553 in 2021. The upward trend continued with 7,50,365 students in 2022 and 8,92,989 in 2023.
The United States (USA) remains the most preferred destination for Indian students, followed by Canada. In 2019, 1,22,535 students went to the USA, with numbers fluctuating due to the pandemic. By 2023, the figure had risen to 2,34,473.
Similarly, Canada saw 1,32,620 students in 2019, dipping to 43,624 in 2020, but soaring to 2,33,532 in 2023. Other popular destinations include the United Kingdom, which hosted over 4.2 lakh Indian students in the last five years, and Australia, with over 2.53 lakh students opting for higher education there.
Acknowledging the individual choice involved in pursuing higher studies abroad, the government has adopted measures under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to enhance the quality of education within India.
One key objective of NEP 2020 is the "Internationalisation of Education," which seeks to position India as a global educational hub and foster academic collaboration with diverse international education systems. This approach aligns with the realities of a global workforce and the growing importance of a knowledge economy.
The government views India’s prosperous diaspora as an asset, emphasizing initiatives to harness their potential for mutual growth. These efforts aim to leverage the diaspora’s expertise and facilitate knowledge exchange between Indian and global institutions.
To improve the quality of higher education domestically, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has implemented several initiatives. These include introducing guidelines for internship and apprenticeship-embedded degree programs, establishing research and development cells in higher education institutions (HEIs), and promoting the concept of the "professor of practice." Accessibility guidelines and financial support for HEIs have also been emphasized.
Moreover, in line with NEP 2020, the UGC has formulated regulations to enhance collaboration between Indian and foreign educational institutions. The "UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023" enables renowned global universities to establish campuses in India.
Similarly, the "UGC (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2021" provides students the opportunity to pursue parts of their education in both Indian and foreign institutions. This fosters academic excellence, research opportunities, and mobility for students and faculty.
These comprehensive measures aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of Indian education, reducing the need for students to seek opportunities abroad while simultaneously strengthening India’s position in the global education arena.

Updated On 12/22/2024 2:10:10 AM