633 Indian students died abroad in last 5 years, highest 172 in Canada; 19 died in violent attacks: Govt | Chandigarh News

Canada, which reported the highest 172 deaths of Indian students, is followed by US (108), UK (58), Australia (57), Russia (37) and Germany (24). One student’s death was also reported from neighboring Pakistan, according to the reply by MEA.

However, in another related reply to a query regarding “violent attacks on Indian students” in other countries, the minister in the written reply said that the “data available with the Indian Missions/Posts abroad does not suggest an increase in violence against Indian students abroad in recent times.”

According to the country-wise data on students who died due to violence/attack in other countries, a total of 19 such deaths happened including the highest nine in Canada, followed by six in the US, and one each in Australia, UK, China and Kyrgyzstan.

The ministry said that “cases of untoward incidents are immediately taken up by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that they are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished. During emergencies or crisis situations, Indian Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed/stranded Indian students overseas by providing them food, shelter, medicines and ensure their return/evacuation to India as soon as possible. Most recently, stranded Indian students were evacuated to India through the Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga (Ukraine) and Operation Ajay (Israel) from countries around the world. The return of many Indian students from Bangladesh was also facilitated by our High Commission.”

“Indian Missions/Posts abroad also encourage Indian students travelling abroad for higher studies to register with them as also on the MADAD Portal so that their grievances and outstanding issues can be addressed in a time bound manner,” further said the reply by MEA.

Replying to another query related to the total number of Indian students studying abroad, the ministry said, “The total number of Indian students pursuing higher education in universities and other tertiary institutions abroad are 1.33 million (in 2024).”

The MEA data presented in the Lok Sabha indicates that the Indian students studying abroad is on the rise in the past three years. In 2022, the number stood at 0.75 million which rose to 0.93 million in 2023 and now stands at 1.33 million.

As per the country-wise data presented by the MEA regarding 13.35 lakh Indian students pursuing higher education across 101 countries as on January 1 this year, the highest 4.27 lakh students are studying in Canada followed by 3.37 lakh in the US, 1.85 lakh in UK, 1.22 lakh in Australia, 42997 in Germany, 25000 in UAE and 24940 in Russia.

At least 8580 Indian students are also studying in China (including Hong Kong), 7300 in New Zealand, 2134 in Nepal, 2000 in Singapore, 1532 in Japan and 1020 in Iran. At least 14 Indian students are also studying in neighboring Pakistan, says MEA. In war torn Ukraine, 2510 Indian students are still pursuing education, indicates the MEA reply.

In another query related to the Indian students deported from the US, the MEA has stated that a total of 48 students have been deported from the US in the past three years.

“Reasons for deportation are not officially shared by the US authorities. Unauthorized employment, unauthorized withdrawal from classes, expulsion and suspension, and failure to report Optional Practical Training (OPT) employments are some of the possible reasons which could lead to termination of a student’s visa resulting in “unlawful presence” and eventual deportation,” said the minister in written reply.

“Government of India does not have data about illegal Indian migrants scattered across the world. The Government of India is engaged with the U.S. Government in nurturing strong people-to-people ties and facilitating legal mobility of students and skilled professionals. Central and State governments have been working to create awareness about safe and legal migration. Government are also taking necessary action against all those involved in illegal migration networks,” concludes the reply to the query asked by BK Parthasarthi, an MP from Andhra Pradesh.

Country wise inputs received by MEA on death cases of Indian students in the last 5 years