Overview
- The Ministry of External Affairs, which briefed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, reported a drop from 378,787 Indian students in February 2025 to 352,644 in February 2026.
- Officials said the decline spans school, vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across U.S. institutions.
- Citing a June 18, 2025 U.S. policy shift, India noted broader vetting for F, M, and J visas that reviews applicants’ online presence and requires public social media profiles.
- Data from the U.S. Department of State showed F-1 student visas issued to Indians in June–July 2025 fell 69% compared with the same period in 2024.
- India said it is raising student concerns with U.S. counterparts and seeking secure, predictable pathways, as U.S. authorities also stress post-visa monitoring and possible revocation for rule violations.