Enrollment of Indian students in US institutions dropped by 6.9 percent over the past year, government data shows. The Ministry of External Affairs informed India's upper house of Parliament that numbers fell from 378,787 in February 2025 to 352,644 in February 2026. This decline coincides with heightened US visa scrutiny, raising concerns over access to one of the world's top study destinations.

Official Data Reveals Broad Decline

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the figures from the US Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System during a Rajya Sabha session. More than 3.5 lakh Indian students remain enrolled across all levels, from primary school to doctoral programs. The dip affects school-level, vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate categories alike, signaling a widespread trend.

Enhanced US Visa Scrutiny Drives Concerns

Singh addressed queries linking the drop to limited visa slots, high rejection rates, and increased checks by US authorities. A June 18, 2025, US Department of State announcement expanded screening for visa applicants, emphasizing national security in every adjudication. For F, M, and J non-immigrant categories—common for students—applicants now face comprehensive vetting, including public access to social media profiles.

Policy Shifts Signal Privilege Over Right

The US administration stresses that a visa constitutes a privilege, not a right, and draws on all available information to assess admissibility. This approach targets potential threats to national security. While the US holds its position as a primary choice for Indian students, the policy changes could prompt shifts toward other countries or domestic alternatives, reshaping global education flows.