Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2755
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

2755. PROF. SADHU SINGH:
SHRI BHAGWANT MANN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Indian students went abroad and foreign students came in India for study during the last three years and the current year, State-wise including Punjab;

(b) whether the Government do not have proper and adequate information about various essential documents on account of the number of students leaving the country for studies abroad;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether instances of Indian students who went abroad for studies are being harassed in various foreign countries have come to the notice of the Government; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government for safety of such students?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) As per information received from Missions/Posts abroad, an estimated number of Indian students currently studying abroad as on 28 December 2017 is 586183. However, year-wise/state-wise break-up of number of students are not maintained by the Ministry. With regard to year wise number of foreign students who came to India for higher studies, information provided by Bureau of Immigration is given below:

(b) & (c) Indian students wishing to pursue higher studies abroad apply for student visas directly with the foreign Embassies & consulates based in India. Information provided by the students with the foreign Missions/Consulates is not shared with the Ministry. There is also no requirement for Indian students going abroad to study in foreign universities to compulsorily register either in India or in Indian Missions/Posts abroad. Besides, in many cases, students travelling on tourist visa to foreign countries enroll themselves in foreign universities and seek change of visa status in those countries. In view of above, information about the exact number of students leaving India to pursue higher studies is not available with the Ministry. To address this gap, Mission/Post has started organising "Welcome Ceremonies” for the newly arrived students in the foreign countries. This has helped to connect the students and assure them of their well being, safety and security in foreign countries.

Also under the existing "MADAD” portal, a separate student module has been created which enables Indian students abroad to register themselves and seek assistance when needed.

(d)&(e) It has come to the notice of the Ministry that 21 incidents of harassments/attacks on Indian students happened in 10 countries during 2017. Country-wise data is placed at Annexure-I.

Missions took up the issues strongly with local police authorities and concerned ministries of the foreign countries to ensure safety and security of Indian students. Advisories were issued and placed on the website of the Indian Missions to alert the Indian students.
vIndian Missions are in regular contact with foreign governments, universities and educational institutions, Indian student Associations and community organizations, and take all possible measures to provide assistance to Indian students in foreign countries, as and when such issues arise.

Ministry and Missions also issue advisories asking students to carry all documentation and undertake due diligence to ensure that the foreign institutions to which they are seeking admission have proper authorization and capacities.

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