AISHE Report 2023-24: Nepal remained the largest source of international students studying in India during the 2023-24 academic year, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, details of which were taken from the AISHE Final Report. Indian higher education institutions welcomed students from 173 countries during the year, with a total of 58,134 international students enrolled across universities and colleges nationwide.

The AISHE report, prepared by the Ministry of Education, gathers data from higher education institutions on enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, and examination outcomes, serving as one of the government's key planning tools for the sector. Its latest edition offers a detailed picture of how international students are distributed across Indian states and courses.

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Nepal Leads Source Countries

The total number of foreign students enrolled in higher education is 58,134. Foreign Students have come from 173 different countries.

Nepal accounted for the highest share of international students at 24.1 per cent, followed by the United Arab Emirates (7 per cent), the United States (5.9 per cent), Bangladesh (5.9 per cent), Nigeria (5.5 per cent), and Zimbabwe (4 per cent). Together, the top 10 source countries contributed 63.8 per cent of all foreign students in India that year.

Karnataka Tops State-Wise Enrolment

Among Indian states, Karnataka emerged as the leading destination with 7,914 international students, closely followed by Punjab at 7,902. Maharashtra (6,190), Uttar Pradesh (5,953), and Tamil Nadu (5,694) rounded out the other top states hosting foreign students.

Undergraduate Courses Remain Most Popular

The majority of international students opted for undergraduate programmes, which made up 73.6 per cent of total enrolment, with 42,779 students, including 27,849 men and 14,930 women. Postgraduate programmes accounted for another 16.8 per cent, with 9,845 students, while smaller numbers pursued diploma, PhD, certificate, and integrated courses.

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Steady Growth Over Five Years

The report highlighted a consistent rise in foreign student enrolment, growing from 48,898 in 2019-20 to 58,134 in 2023-24, an increase of 9,236 students, or 18.9 per cent. Both male and female enrolment saw gains, with male numbers rising from 32,386 to 37,295 and female numbers from 16,512 to 20,839.

India also drew students from countries like Lebanon, Mongolia, Mexico, and Chile, aided by the Ministry of Education's Study in India programme, launched in 2018 to boost the country's global appeal as an education destination.

To real full AISHE 2023-24 report, download below mentioned Attached PDF.

AISHE Final report 2024-25.pdf