New Delhi, April 2
More than 3.5 lakh Indian students are currently pursuing education in the United States, marking a decline of around 6.9 per cent compared to the previous year, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Kirti Vardhan Singh cited data from the US Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), showing that the number of Indian students dropped from 378,787 in February 2025 to 352,644 in February 2026.
The data covers students enrolled across various programmes, including school education, vocational training, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses.
Responding to concerns over declining enrolment, Singh said recent changes in US visa policies, including stricter screening and vetting processes, have contributed to the trend. He referred to a June 2025 announcement by the US Department of State on expanded visa scrutiny, which emphasised that a US visa is a “privilege, not a right.”
Under the revised guidelines, applicants in student and exchange categories are subject to comprehensive checks, including scrutiny of their online presence. Applicants are also required to keep their social media profiles public to facilitate verification.
The minister added that visa monitoring continues even after approval, and violations such as discontinuing studies without notice, minor legal offences, visa overstays, or engaging in activities inconsistent with visa conditions can lead to revocation and deportation.
He noted that these increased compliance requirements and scrutiny have impacted the number of student visas issued to Indian nationals.
While visa policies remain the sovereign prerogative of the United States, Singh said the Indian government has been raising concerns faced by students with US authorities and continues to engage with them to ensure smoother and secure mobility for students and professionals.
