In brief
After a decade of stable enrollment, India’s 1.2 million international students face uncertainty amid a worsening currency crisis and tighter immigration policies. Students like Pragati Priya from Jharkhand forecast longer debts and uncertain job prospects. Enrollment dips by up to 20% in the UK and US, as devaluation squeezes savings and raises tuition. New destinations such as Germany, Ireland and Italy gain popularity for lower costs and better post‑study work pathways.
Live: Indian Students in Crisis
Praised for years as a hotbed of international talent, India now confronts a looming crisis as the rupee slumps and visa rules tighten. According to the Global Student Flows Report 2026, enrolments in the US, UK, Canada and Australia are projected to fall 0.5% annually through 2030.
Pragati Priya, 29, from Jharkhand, has entered a master’s program in Rome, hoping to secure a bright future in Europe. “I’ve been torn all year,” she says over the phone. “The rising debt, caused by the rupee’s drop, keeps me up at night.”
The rupee’s 10–15% depreciation against the US dollar means previously affordable plans now cost significantly more in Indian rupees. Sushil Sukhwani, founder of Edwise International, estimates the rupee has fallen 35% to 47% against the Euro, dollar and pound since 2019.
This financial squeeze is compounded by tighter visa scrutiny. In the UK, 76% of universities reported a decline in Indian student enrolments for January intake, and American institutions saw a 7% drop between February 2025 and February 2026.
Facing these hurdles, families and students are turning to new options. Germany, Ireland, Italy and other European destinations now attract Indians with lower tuition, favourable post‑study visas and strong employment prospects. Mayank Maheshwari, COO of University Living, points out that “the overall value proposition is much more attractive these days.”
“Our dream of studying abroad is still a luxury many Indian families can no longer afford,” says Sudhanshu Kaushik, founder of the North America Association of Indian Students in Washington. He warns that “gig‑economy work is now a full‑time necessity for many returning graduates.”
The ripple effect concerns not only students but also universities, town economies and global influence. “We are retreating from the gains we made in promoting higher education as a form of soft power,” cautions a senior US adviser.
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