Indian Students in US Hit 29-Month Low
The number of Indian students in the United States has fallen to a 29-month low, with 338,230 students recorded in July 2026. The decline has continued for 10 consecutive months amid tighter visa scrutiny, processing delays and changing US immigration policies.
Indian Students in US Fall to 29-Month Low
The Indian student population in the US declined by 8.6% year-on-year in July 2026.
Between September 2025 and July 2026, the number of Indian students fell by around 12%. By comparison, the decline during the corresponding period a year earlier was about 4.4%, indicating a considerably sharper contraction in the latest academic cycle.
India nevertheless remains one of the largest sources of international students for American universities.
Indian Postgraduate Enrolment Drops 11.3%
The steepest decline has been recorded among postgraduate students, who form the largest segment of the Indian student population in the United States.
Indian postgraduate enrolment fell 11.3% year-on-year to 266,104 students. Undergraduate numbers have also declined, although Indian enrolment in doctoral programmes has continued to increase.
The figures suggest that the slowdown is particularly pronounced among students pursuing master’s and other postgraduate courses.
US Visa Delays Add Pressure on Students
The decline comes amid growing concerns over student visa availability, increased immigration scrutiny and processing delays affecting international applicants.
Indian students seeking admission for the Fall 2026 academic session have faced uncertainty over securing timely visa appointments, adding further pressure to enrolment numbers.
The sustained decline could also have implications for US universities, where Indian students have become an increasingly important part of international enrolment in recent years.
