Global Student Mobility and India’s Higher Education Competitiveness

Abstract

This research report offers a comprehensive critical analysis of India’s strategic paradigm shift from being a primary source of global academic talent ("brain drain") to aspiring to become a global education destination ("brain gain"). Anchored in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the "Study in India" (SII) initiative and related internationalization policies from 2021 to 2025. Employing a secondary data analysis methodology, the report synthesizes data from the Ministry of Education (AISHE), Ministry of External Affairs, and global ranking bodies (QS, THE). The findings reveal a significant dichotomy: while the SII portal has successfully streamlined inbound mobility processes—registering a record 72,218 students from 200 countries in 2024—the inbound demographic remains heavily concentrated in the Global South, limiting high-value economic gains. Conversely, outbound mobility has surged to 1.33 million students, resulting in an estimated US\$ 80 billion annual capital flight, effectively subsidizing Western education systems. The report further highlights that while Indian institutions have improved their global rankings (54 universities in QS 2026), this has not translated into the retention of domestic talent. Faculty repatriation schemes like VAJRA have shown negligible impact due to structural rigidities. The study concludes that India is successfully establishing itself as a regional soft power hegemon but struggles to compete as a global knowledge hub, necessitating a shift from recruitment-focused policies to retention-focused structural reforms.