US remains a top choice for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad: Open Doors Report

According to the report, Indian students constitute more than 25 percent of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States.  T

The release of the Open Doors Report marks the beginning of International Education Week (IEW), which celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

According to Open Doors Report data, India surpassed China to become the largest source of international graduate students in the United States for the first time since 2009/10. 

The number of Indian graduate students rose by 63 percent to 165,936 students, an increase of nearly 64,000 students, compared to last year, while Indian undergraduate students also increased by 16 percent.

ODR data also shows India leading in the number of individuals (69,062) who pursued optional practical training (OPT), a type of temporary work permission that allows eligible students to get real-world experience related to their field of study.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India issued record high numbers of student visas during the main student visa season of June-August 2023.

Consular officers across India issued 95,269 visas in the F, M, and J categories. 

This is an 18 percent increase over 2022 during the same timeframe.

U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti remarked: “You did it, India!  Each and every Indian student in the United States and the families supporting their success deserve recognition for this achievement.  The decision to study abroad, and your choice of the United States, represents a valuable investment by you and your families.  You are bringing our countries closer together and leading us towards a bright future.  We celebrate the strength of the Indian educational system that prepares students to compete globally and look forward to seeing India continue to lead.  We also look forward to balancing these record numbers.  We want to see equal numbers of women pursuing studies in the United States and see more U.S. students coming to experience all that India has to offer.”