There has been a drastic fall in Indian students going to the US. Reports from education consultants confirm that in 2025, about 8,000 student visas had been revoked. Large-scale visa cancellations, visa checks and fewer interview slots are a few of the noticeable reasons, though the trend has had widespread repercussions on H-1B visa programme as well.

Commenting on this, V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, said, “I do not see the sharp decline in Indian student enrolment in the US as a temporary phenomenon. It calls for a calibrated and long-term policy response from India.”

The present scenario, where Indian student enrolment in US universities has dropped by nearly 75% in one year, should be taken seriously by India. India should address these challenges by increasing the number of seats in top academic institutions and enhance the quality of education on a par with global standards.

Rao said, “This situation creates an important opportunity for India. This moment can allow India to retain high-calibre talent and strengthen its own higher education and research ecosystem. If approached thoughtfully, this could become a phase of brain gain rather than a brain-drain reversal by default.”

By increasing research funding, expanding universities, and hiring better faculty, Indian students ambitious about pursuing an education abroad can be helped in some way to reach their goals in India itself. The path ahead is certainly not easy, but strategically worked out reforms by India can make a difference. – editor@nrifocus.com