India’s higher ed moment may have just arrived

India's higher education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the option to study abroad becomes increasingly costly and uncertain. In recent years, the number of Indian students pursuing foreign education has declined, falling from 908,364 in 2023 to 626,606 in 2025, according to data from the Bureau of Immigration. This trend is driven by higher tuition and living costs, a weaker rupee, and stricter visa and immigration rules in major destination countries like Canada, the UK, and the US.

However, India's domestic higher education institutions are gaining ground on the global stage. A small group of universities is making notable progress in global rankings, research output, and performance in key fields such as engineering, science, technology, and management. Institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IISc Bengaluru have witnessed significant improvements in their rankings over the past few years.

The rise of Indian universities in global rankings is also evident in the increased number of Indian institutions appearing in these lists. In 2026, 54 Indian institutions were included in the QS World University Rankings, the highest representation to date. QS also noted that 41% of Indian institutions improved their positions in the ranking that year.

The shift in perception among young Indians is also noteworthy. A report by Emeritus Gen Z Outlook 2026 surveyed 1,010 Indians aged 15 to 28 and found that 48% of those considering overseas education had declined their interest in the previous year. Among those who still considered studying abroad, cost, safety, and political uncertainty were cited as the primary barriers.

However, there is a growing preference for India-based international programs, with 68% of respondents indicating they would be likely or extremely likely to study with an international university operating in India.