The government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that 72,218 foreign students from about 200 countries are currently studying in India.

Responding to supplementary questions during Question Hour, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said Rs 6,198.99 crore has been sanctioned to eight public institutions under the World Class Institutions scheme, which grants the status of Institution of Eminence (IoE).

He noted that 54 Indian higher education institutions have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR) 2026, compared with 11 in 2014–15.

Majumdar said the government is taking steps to expand engagement with foreign universities and international students. He added that 12 institutions have so far been notified as IoEs, including eight in the public category and four in the private category, though only public institutions receive funding under the scheme.

The ministry said the National Education Policy 2020 aims to improve the quality of higher education through measures such as enhancing infrastructure, strengthening research and innovation, and promoting industry–academia linkages. It said the number of Indian institutions in the QS WUR has doubled in five years, from 27 in 2021 to 54 in the latest rankings.

The government reported a rise in foreign student enrolment and outlined funding and policy measures aimed at improving the global standing of Indian higher education institutions.

Inputs from PTI

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