Karnataka attracts 7,914 international students to lead India in foreign enrolments

Karnataka emerged as India’s top destination for international students during the 2023-24 academic year, driven primarily by the high concentration of higher education institutions in Bengaluru. According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, the state attracted 7,914 foreign students, representing 13.6% of the 58,134 international students enrolled across the country.

The survey revealed that one in every seven international students in India is currently studying in Karnataka. While Punjab followed closely behind with 7,902 students—a margin of just 12—other leading states included Maharashtra with 6,190, Uttar Pradesh with 5,953, and Tamil Nadu with 5,694.

Education experts attribute Karnataka’s top ranking to the unique ecosystem in Bengaluru. The city hosts a dense network of engineering colleges, private universities, management institutes, and research centres that run alongside one of the world's largest technology industries.

"That combination has become a major draw for international students," said Vasudev N, a recruitment professional. "Unlike traditional university towns, Bengaluru offers the opportunity to study in a city that is home to global technology firms, research laboratories, start-ups and multinational companies. For many students, a degree is only one part of the attraction. Access to internships, industry interaction and employment opportunities is equally important."

The AISHE data also detailed the global demographic of these students. Nepal is the largest source nation, accounting for 24.1% of all international students in India. The United Arab Emirates represents 7%, followed by the United States and Bangladesh at 5.9% each, Nigeria at 5.5%, and Zimbabwe at 4%. Overall, students from 173 countries are enrolled in Indian institutions.

Additionally, the survey highlighted a shift in academic preferences, with foreign students increasingly choosing full-time undergraduate degrees over research or doctoral studies. Nationally, 73.6% of international students are enrolled in undergraduate programmes, while 16.8% are pursuing postgraduate courses. Professional degrees continue to be the most popular, with BTech drawing 14,900 students, followed by BSc with 4,589 and BBA with 3,641.