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India wants to host more than one million international students by 2047.The new government-sponsored report presents the long-term view of how higher education is positioned as a key element of India's plan for future growth and development. While the projected and projected figures are encouraging, the report also shows that in order for India to be able to compete effectively with established global educational hubs, there are numerous serious structural deficiencies that must be overcome.

Titled "Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential and Policy Recommendations", the report was produced by NITI Aayog in cooperation with IIT Madras and the Association of Indian Universities. In addition to viewing international education as a source of income for the country, the report also views it as a means of soft power, a multiplier for research, and a method of redrawing India's position as a knowledge economy.

With more than 1,200 universities and close to 40 million students, India now has the second-largest higher education system in the world. Furthermore, according to many experts, the median age of the Indian population is slightly over 28 years, which is one of the youngest in the world. In spite of this, India's presence in the international student market has historically been quite small. Thus, in 2021-22, approximately 50,000 foreign students enrolled in Indian universities, whereas nearly 1.1 million Indians were studying in foreign countries.

This asymmetry lies at the heart of the challenge.

Globally, countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Germany, and Canada treat international education as a strategic export. India, the report suggests, has largely functioned as a talent supplier rather than a destination. By 2022, Indian families were estimated to have spent nearly $47 billion on overseas education—a figure that is expected to rise if current trends continue.

The motivations are not hard to understand. Students seek stronger research ecosystems, global exposure, industry-aligned curricula, and smoother pathways to international careers. While India’s elite institutions enjoy global reputations, the broader university system struggles with uneven quality, limited international faculty, outdated syllabi, and weak global linkages.

The report projects that with sustained reforms, inbound international enrolment could reach 85,000–1.5 lakh by 2030, 3.6 lakh by 2035, and potentially between 3 lakh and 11 lakh by 2047. Achieving even the lower end of this range would mark a significant shift—from a country known for exporting students to one that attracts them.

But the authors are clear: this will not happen organically.

According to the authors, the national Internationalization Strategy should focus on establishing Joint Degree Programs, supporting the mobility of International Faculty, creating Globally Benchmarked Curricula, and developing Research Partnerships. One of their most progressive proposals is to establish Regional Higher Education Hubs, much like those found in Singapore, the UAE, and other areas of Europe, which would serve as a destination for international campuses, conferences, and collaborative research centers.

The report highlighted that India is lacking in the area of research. Despite the large number of publications coming from India, the majority are cited from a very small number of prestigious institutions, limiting India's global collaboration potential. Without developing a stronger research ecosystem, it will be difficult for India to gain access to Doctoral Students, Global Faculty and Innovation-Driven Investments.

Throughout the document, the authors made reference to India's ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramshila, serving as a reminder that global education has a long history in the Indian subcontinent. What is new is the scale of competition.

By 2047, India faces a choice: remain a net exporter of talent or rebuild universities that draw the world in. The ambition is bold. Whether the system can reform fast enough to match it remains an open question.

An expert clarifies the reasons for a large number of Indian students who are looking to study abroad in 2026, the first four countries that come to their mind are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, New Zealand keeps receiving good number of applications from outside that group. Its attractiveness is not based on the large number of people or on something grand. It is based on the fact that it is a predictable, well, organized and outcome, oriented country. "In terms of work, life balance, New Zealand is ranked number one in the world, " said Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia, Canada and Latin America at IDP Education. "It is a small country with only 8 universities, but all of them are in the top 2% universities in the world according to the QS rankings, " he added. This framework determines how students feel about the system. Since there are only 8 public universities, the range of choice is limited but more obvious. Students are not confronted with a large number of institutions which have poor outcomes. Instead, the system ensures that preferences made on different campuses are consistent in terms of academic standards as well as student support.

Who New Zealand suits best New Zealand is a suitable destination for students who prefer a manageable approach rather than a large, scale one. The country does not have as many institutions or programmes as bigger destinations. What it does have is a lot more straightforward. It is easier to figure out from the very beginning the access requirements, the academic expectations, and the options after the study. Kumar highlights lifestyle as the main factor for retention. Great work, life balance, he said, naming one of the most commonly cited reasons for the choice of the country by students. For Indian students, especially those doing postgraduate studies, this balance usually means less burnout and a more stable routine during the study. Courses driving Indian interest Choice of programmes among Indian students is mainly based on the practicality of the subject. Kumar says, to name a few, top areas of student interest are information technology, environmental sciences, business programmes, and hospitality. These areas not only match with New Zealand's domestic skills needs but also in the sectors where students can do part time jobs during their studies. Environmental sciences become a significant pull factor for the students as a new area. As issues like climate change, sustainability, and resource management are becoming more and more important worldwide, New Zealand's academic focus in these areas is getting students who are looking beyond the usual business or technology tracks.

Policy stability or stability in immigration law and policy plays a central role in New Zealand continued appeal.

New Zealand offers three years of post study work rights, a factor that strongly shapes student decisions.

That is the thing because, for many Indian families, post study work is not an optional benefit. It is part of the return, on, investment calculation.

Just as important is the absence of constant bouncing back of policy. While other destinations have changed student visa rules, dependent eligibility, or work conditions in short cycles, New Zealands framework has remained comparatively steady. This lowers the risk of planning over two or three years of an academic journey.

Safety is another element that retains the interest of the public. New Zealand ranks highly on personal safety indicators, and its smaller cities often are less overwhelming for first, time international students. For parents who are deciding on the destination while staying at home, this predictability matters.

Merged with structured arrival and orientation systems at universities, the overall environment seems to be designed rather than done by chance. For students who are moving abroad for the first time, that difference is noticeable.

An option that stays under the radar New Zealands study, abroad appeal is not the result of loud marketing or high figures. It stays very much under the radar, and perhaps that is the reason why it is so often called an underrated destination. However, the country remains to be on the 2026 map for those students who, among other things, value a balanced lifestyle, straightforward post, study pathways, and institutional consistency.

As per Kumars evaluation, New Zealand is not changing its strategy to fit everyones needs. It is providing a single, clear proposition. For some Indian students, this clarity is exactly the point.

After assurance from the college authorities regarding the pending stipends, foreign medical graduates (FMGs) at the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Bihta, Bihar, ended their indefinite strike. The strike, which began on Tuesday morning, involved 96 interns who are doing their compulsory MBBS internship at the institute.

Most of the protesting interns have completed their medical degrees from countries like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Armenia, and Ukraine. After they became members of the college on June 15, they have not been given their monthly stipments despite the administration's repeated assurance. The communication from the office of the President said the interns are to be paid 20, 000 per month, which is to be changed to 27, 000 from September 2025. The protest resulted in the suspension of outpatient department (OPD) services and other hospital activities and was only the second such demonstration in two months over the nonpayment of stipends. During the agitation, the interns said they were very angry because the administration had only issued notices but no explanation had been given for the delay.

Dr. Binay Kumar Biswas, Dean of ESIC Medical College, in a notice dated December 30, communicated that the delayed stipends would be credited "by mid, January 2026 at the earliest and by mid, February 2026 at the latest." The notice delineated the process of sanctioning the funds but did not pinpoint any reasons for the delay. "The ESIC, HQ has given the most clear, cut and detailed communication to the status of sanction and institute authority, summing up the earliest possible credit date as mid, Jan 2026 and latest by mid Feb 2026. Reasons behind and steps involved have been explained, " the notice quoted, leaving some interns still not satisfied with the explanation of the delay. After the dean's intervention on Wednesday, the interns were summoned to the conference hall. There they were informed that their internship period might be extended if they continued their strike. They were also warned not to disrupt hospital services again, as police action might be taken if they continued to agitate. After negotiations with the administration and heads of various departments, the FMG interns decided to call off their strike and return to work.

Since passing their licensing exams in January 2025, these foreign, trained doctors have been undergoing the mandatory one, year internship to practice in India. The resolution to the issue provided relief to hospital operations right away, but the frequent delays in the payment of stipends for FMG interns indicate that there are still systemic administrative issues in the management of FMG internships. Biswas was unavailable when we tried to reach out to him for his comments. The resolution, in essence, underlines the delicate balance that exists between the management of the hospital and the rights of interns, particularly those medical graduates who have come from abroad and are, on the one hand, benefitting the healthcare system of India and, on the other, facing uncertainties in regulations and finance.

In 2026, Gujarat plans to take a revolutionary step in not only deepening artificial intelligence (AI) research and development but also fast AI, driven national ecosystem. The Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has given a nod to the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organization (IAIRO) through a tripartite partnership, including the State Government, the Government of India, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). The state government of Gujarat says it is becoming the first state in the country to establish the IAIRO under the PPP model. This IAIRO will be launched as a Special Purpose Vehicle in GIFT City from January 1, 2026. It will be established as a non, profit institute under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. Besides, an approximate budget of Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for the initial five years of the project, wherein the State Government, the Central Government, and the private partner will share the contribution equally, i.e., 33.33 per cent each.

Gujarat government in its statement mentioned the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance also has taken a lead role as the anchor private partner for IAIRO and will contribute Rs 25 crore for the year 2025, 26. The state government also added that IPA represents the conglomerate of approximately 23 major pharmaceutical companies, which include Cipla, Torrent Pharma, and Sun Pharma. Alignment with National and State AI Missions The program of Gujarat State perfectly fit the criteria set out by the India AI Mission of the Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India as well as the AI Action Plan of the State Government's Science and Technology Department. To accelerate sustainable development by such means as the use of AI technology in health care, education, and agriculture sectors, thee State Government set up an AI Task Force under the leadership of Chief Minister Patel. The aim is to furnish the quality of life of many people for the next generations. IAIRO's Core Activities and Vision IAIRO is additionally thinking ahead and as a result is expected to become a transdisciplinary hub for AI located in the area of Gujarat. The essential elements of IAIRO will extend significantly into the future with the lab ultimately conducting cutting, edge research and development in artificial intelligence and the development of novel AI, based products and processes. Moreover, the academic institutions, industries, startups, and government entities will be IAIRO's collaboration partners. Besides, IAIRO will focus on intellectual property (IP) creation, capacity building, and policy, based

Operational Framework

IAIRO will operate using a hybrid compute model that will combine GPU infrastructure available on premise with national platforms like the IndiaAI Cloud.

Projected Impact and Goals

The project aims to train a competent AI workforce that is ready for the future. India will also be positioned as a leader who can compete globally in the AI sector. As a result, Gujarat will gain more prominence as a technology and innovation hub of the future.

A fascinating new player in the offshore market is Japan, with world-class universities, increasing English language delivery, and a scholarship system in place to keep the price tag manageable for Indians. With the cost of studying abroad soaring in traditional destinations such as the US, the UK, or Australia, Japan is poised as the alternative of the future.

The Study in Japan (South Asia) project, initiated by the University of Tokyo and Acumen, has resulted in a considerable expansion of outreach activities in India. Today, over 25,000 students in over 100 Indian cities have had interactions with Japanese universities via education fairs, as well as online engagement through Navi Japan, an interface initiated by Study in Japan, connecting students directly to universities, as well as to current students and authentic information on available studies and scholarships.

Despite this spate of interest, the numbers of Indian students in Japan remain relatively low—at approximately 2,000 students at the undergraduate, master’s, and research levels—indicating considerable potential for expansion.

Multiple Study Pathways for Indian Students

1. Exchange and semester programmes

Many Indian students begin their Japan journey through semester-long or year-long exchange programmes enabled by institutional partnerships. These allow students to earn credits in Japan that count toward their Indian degree.

For instance, OP Jindal Global University’s partnership with the University of Tokyo facilitates structured exchanges and short-term academic programmes. Similar collaborations exist with IIT Mandi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, JNU and SRM University.

2. Short-term programmes and summer schools

Japanese universities offer two-to-six-week summer and winter schools, often focused on technology, sustainability, business, public policy and Japanese culture. These programmes appeal to students seeking international exposure without committing to a full degree abroad.

3. Research internships

For students in science, engineering and the humanities, research internships at Japanese labs and centres serve as a strong entry point—especially for those considering PhD programmes or research-driven careers.

4. Joint and dual degree programmes

Joint and dual degree options—where students study in both countries and earn recognised degrees—are still limited but expanding steadily as India–Japan academic cooperation deepens.

Scholarships That Make Studying in Japan Affordable

One of Japan’s biggest advantages is its well-structured scholarship ecosystem, which significantly reduces the financial burden on international students.

MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship

The Government of Japan’s flagship scholarship covers:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• Return airfare
• Preparatory Japanese language training (if required)

Available for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students, MEXT is highly competitive—but Indian selections have been steadily increasing.

JASSO Scholarships

The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) provides monthly stipends, particularly for exchange students. While these may not cover full tuition, they help offset living expenses.

University and private scholarships

Many Japanese universities offer merit-based fee waivers, tuition reductions and internal scholarships. Additionally, private foundations provide funding options that students can apply for after enrolment.

Cost of Studying and Living in Japan (Approximate)

Tuition fees

At public universities, annual tuition averages ¥535,800, roughly ₹3–3.2 lakh per year. Private universities may charge higher fees.

Living costs

Students typically spend ¥80,000–¥120,000 per month (approximately ₹45,000–₹70,000), covering rent, food, transport and utilities. While cities like Tokyo are more expensive, regional cities are significantly more affordable.

Part-time work

International students are allowed to work part-time, which many use to supplement their living expenses.

Campus Life and Cultural Adjustment

Japan is widely regarded as one of the safest and most efficient countries in the world. Clean cities, reliable public transport and low crime rates contribute to a high quality of student life.

That said, cultural adjustment is real. Communication styles are more indirect, punctuality is strictly observed, and social norms may feel unfamiliar initially. Most Indian students, however, report that once settled, Japan offers a deeply enriching campus experience—marked by academic rigour, vibrant student clubs, festivals and travel opportunities.

Is Learning Japanese Necessary?

While many degree programmes are taught in English, learning Japanese is strongly recommended. Language skills help students navigate daily life, integrate socially, access internships and part-time jobs, and improve post-study employment prospects.

Students can learn Japanese through:

• University language courses (in India or Japan)
• Online platforms and apps
• Short-term intensive language programmes
• On-campus language labs now being introduced at some Indian universities

For Japanese-taught programmes, students may need to clear JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) levels. Higher JLPT scores significantly enhance academic and career opportunities.

Why Japan Matters for India’s Higher Education Future

With over 150 active India–Japan university partnerships, collaboration is expanding across research, innovation and student mobility. Japan’s emphasis on technology, research and interdisciplinary learning aligns closely with India’s higher education and skilling goals.

For Indian students, Japan offers a rare combination: globally ranked universities, strong industry linkages, cultural depth and relative affordability—without the escalating costs and visa uncertainties increasingly associated with Western destinations.

It is the excitement that normally comes with the decision to pursue higher education abroad. Many Indian students feel that they are embarking on a new life that they had hitherto only experienced remotely, but never personally. Neeharika, the Master of Science in Business Analytics student at Durham University in the United Kingdom, encapsulates her transformation with the words that come across as "déjà vu" to so many others: “It is that moment you realize your life now has two homes and two versions of you.” The phrase accurately captures the journey that all the students face who leave home for something greater.

Neeharika’s is a “suite case that refused to close,” friends trying not to cry, and parents spouting reminders that she had memorized in her sleep. At the airport, she felt “torn between two opposite emotions. One part of her was scared to leave behind all she had known. Another part of her was thrilled with the prospect of discovering who she could become." This contrasted feeling follows her on her plane.

Lesson for the aspiring student: The first thing you have to learn is moving away from home, and that is something more than relocation, it’s transformation of oneself. Both preparations are geared towards equipping you with more stable expectations when you embark on the process.

Entrance to the quieter world

As Neeharka settled into the UK, the first culture shock did not relate to climate either. "The first thing that struck me wasn’t the cold. It was the quietness. The lack of pressure cooker whistles in the kitchen, no honking of rickshaws outside, no calls from across the balcony.” The strangeness of this quietness made it feel even more far off than when he left his homeland.

The first experiences in a foreign land are always one of getting used to. According to her, “It was like learning to walk again. Every single thing in life was different. The mode of transportation, the food, the accents, even the way people smiled.” Doing grocery shopping was a weekly struggle. According to her, “Deciding which veggies to choose in a foreign land was like a whole semester course nobody told me about.” It is in these kinds of small struggles that the first education for independence is achieved.

Students planning to study abroad, or even those just considering it, might find that they believe that the most significant challenges will lie in their academic pursuits. However, it's the small things in life that will teach you far too much as well.

Learning to navigate these small transitions in life without judging yourself is, in fact, one of the earliest activities you undertake as you claim your independence.

Learning within a system that expects more from you

Life at university brought a whole new range of adjustments. It came with a different teaching method: the skills and responsibilities of carrying a student's education were placed in their hands. Her routine included a pattern that will seem very familiar to international students: cooking in the morning, attending lectures, and in some cases socializing and pulling late nighters. “Assignments were tougher, conversations were more open and ended with every class having students from different countries with different perspectives.” Some days she could feel invincible, while on other days she felt clueless. "Both were equally significant in making me."

So, for the benefit of future students, this is worth sharing. Trust me, you won't always feel like you're capable enough. The education patterns there are totally self-managing, and it takes some time to adjust to it, though. Feeling lost is not the end; it's just a process that every international student has to go through.

Identify individuals who transform into a home.

There were also changes that came from her personal connections. She had assumed that making friends would not come easy if she moved abroad. However, she found that people just seemed to show up when she needed them the most. There was the friend that she met in classes whom she had asked if she could sit with because they came from the same country. There was also another friend who called her out of the blue because the sky is beautiful outside, and she said, ‘Aurora outside! Come now!’ There was also another friend who is equally keen on visiting all the Harry Potter sites that were shot.

These friendships, she asserts, were no coincidence, and they formed the foundation of the network of support and encouragement which saw her through homesickness, deadlines, and long nights. “You don’t simply find a community living in another country. You create one, bit by bit, memory by memory,” she has come to realize.

Then too, there is something in it for those students who may fear the loneliness of the halls. Community does not simply appear out of thin air on the first day of school. It begins to evolve, through experiences, through conversations. Aspiring students must have faith in the process.

The Real Rhythm of Student Life Abroad

 Being a foreign student can be romanticized, but this girl shows what it’s been like to be one. It means being awoken at odd hours of the night, having to cook because there's no choice, budgeting to the last penny, doing your laundry and carrying it from floor to floor in your residence, learning while half-asleep. But it's these small things that you hold onto. Walking back to your residence, exhausted from your day, and thinking, "I’m actually doing this. I’m constructing a life overseas." These, she asserts, are the highlights of studying abroad that will not appear on the highlight reel that students will look back on, because “The reality is that life is made up of everyday moments, not just the extraordinary ones, and it’s not always easy.” For students wishing to go abroad, she offers this balance to keep in perspective, “The reality is that life is made up of everyday moments, not just the extraordinary ones, and it’s not always easy.” Growth in silence “Growth is not loud or dramatic,” she says. “It is slow, subtle and often invisible until the day you look back and realise you have changed in the best possible ways.” It taught her to trust her instincts and understand the concept of resilience.

Her experience within the UK changed her perceptions of home and introduced her to the reality that the world is much bigger and much kinder than what she was brought up to think was her world. This is one of the most important takeaways for students planning to study internationally: growth isn’t immediate. It happens quietly in the background while you are busy adapting and coping and figuring out your universe. It might not seem apparent the first week on or sometimes not within the first month of your adaptation period. 

Growth typically reveals itself through small, almost unnoticed incidents. The fact that you have just managed to have a day without having to go back for your smartphone from the bus, or managing to cook a meal that actually contains real flavor. It might seem like small stuff, but trust her, this means that you are establishing yourself within a place that was previously unfamiliar to you. For students planning on heading overseas, it might be good to keep in mind that confidence develops slowly. It means you won’t be rocking up to your destination fully prepared to take on the world; rather, you would’ve prepared yourself for the challenge of living day by day. 

The philosophy taken forward: 

The question of whether or not the journey is difficult? The straightforward answer is yes. However, when asked if the journey was worth it, she gives a much more passionate “Absolutely yes. Every single day.” As a last piece of advice to people who are on the fence, she suggests, “Your story begins the moment you gather the courage to take that first step.” As a part of her departing advice to people heading overseas, this would perhaps be the most crucial for students to absorb from her experience. The difficult part of the journey would be temporary, and the growth and change that would happen would remain for a lifetime.