New Delhi: India has surpassed China to become the largest source of international graduate students in the US for the first time since 2009-10, the Open Doors Report (ODR) from the Institute of International Education (IIE) stated.
The number of Indian graduate students rose by 63 per cent to 165,936, while Indian undergraduate students increased by 16 per cent.
According to the report released on Monday, a record 268,923 Indian students studied in American institutions during the academic year 2022-23 — an increased by 35 per cent. This is the third year in a row that maximum Indian students have travelled to the US to pursue higher studies.
India also led in the number of individuals (69,062) who pursued optional practical training (OPT), a temporary work permission allowing eligible students to get real-world experience related to their field of study.
“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,” US Ambassador Eric Garcetti remarked.
“We celebrate the strength of 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,” added Garcetti.