Where Are Indian Students Going in 2025? Latest Government and Global Reports Reveal Emerging Trends

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According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has seen a sharp rise in the number of students going abroad for higher education. Over 1.8 million Indian students are now pursuing international degrees — up from 1.3 million just two years ago.

✅ Popular destinations: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Russia, Georgia, and the Philippines.

Read more on Times of India

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🌍 Emerging Destinations on the Rise

A growing number of Indian students — especially from Gujarat, Kerala, and Punjab — are now opting for:

• • Germany (Engineering, AI, Computer Science)
  • Russia, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan (MBBS and Medical Programs)
  • Philippines (Affordable medical degrees)

Data from Gujarat’s GUEEDC shows a 168% surge in students availing low-interest loans for foreign study, with Canada now less preferred due to visa delays.

📌 Source

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🇺🇸 Students Wary of US Due to Uncertainty

A mid-2025 report by The Guardian reflects growing anxiety among Indian students over potential visa delays, OPT policy changes, and political rhetoric from the US.

🔴 “They are in shock,” says one counsellor, after visa rejections and OPT suspensions affected dozens of hopefuls.

This uncertainty has led to a shift towards UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, and Middle Eastern countries for students from South Asia.

📰 Read full article: Indian students fear Trump has ended their American dream

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🌐 OECD: Global Mobility Still on the Rise

The latest OECD report indicates that international student enrollments continue to grow globally. Key trends:

• • High concentration in STEM fields (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
  • International students make up over 10% of higher education enrollments in most host countries
  • Demand for English-medium instruction remains strong

More insights on OECD International Student Mobility

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🧭 Summary: Where Is the Trend Heading?

Aspect	Key Update
Students Abroad (India)	1.8 million and growing
Preferred Destinations	Shift from US/Canada to Germany, UK, Russia, Philippines
Government Loans (Gujarat)	Record rise in demand for low-interest study loans abroad
US Visa Policy Impact	Increasing hesitation due to perceived instability
Global Outlook (OECD)	STEM and English-speaking countries continue to attract more global students

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📢 Final Word
For students and families planning for 2025 and beyond, it’s clear that global education is still a strong aspiration, but the choice of destination is being shaped by policy shifts, affordability, and visa certainty.

Stay tuned to StudentOrbit360.com for continuous updates on destination-specific policies, scholarships, and student experiences.