The Ministry of Education has stated that the reported decline in the number of Indian students opting for Canada for higher education in 2026 is primarily due to the changes in Canada’s international student policies, which include reduced cap on study permits, higher proof of fund requirements and post-graduation work provisions.
Responding to the question raised in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, said that opting to study abroad is an individual’s choice influenced by various factors, which include affordability, access to education loans, foreign societies exposure, aptitude for particular branches of studies.
Factors Responsible for Decline
Citing the input from the Ministry of External Affairs, the minister said that Canada’s move to progressively reduce the cap on the new international study permits every year is a key factor behind the decline. It has also increased the minimum proof of funds requirement to CAD 22,895 per year for Indian students.
Additionally, it has narrowed down the eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), contributing to the factors influencing student’s decisions, the official notification read.
Government Highlights HEIs Initiatives
The ministry also stated that the government has undertaken various initiatives, which has resulted in 52 Indian Institutions being listed in the QS World University Ranking (QS WUR) 2027, with 13 Indian universities securing places among the Global Top 550, marking India’s higher representation.
It noted that India has ranked 38th in the Global Innovation Index and further, continues to be among the world’s top three startup ecosystems in scale, funding and unicorn count.
With the aim to provide best international educational facilities within the country, the Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) have been allowed to establish their campuses in India under few regulations. These regulations include the (UGC) University Grants Commission Regulations 2023, and the International Financial Services Centers Authority Regulations, 2022.
UGC has issued 16 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to 15 FHEIs from Australia, Italy, United Kingdom and USA to establish their campuses across India, including Bengaluru, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai and Chennai. In addition, it has separately approved five universities from Australia and the UK to establish offshore branch campuses in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The commission has also taken several initiatives, such as issuing regulation for Joint/Dual/Twinning degree programmes, Internship/Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Program guidelines, research and development cells, promoting the Professor of Practice concept, UTSAH Portal to track NEP 2020 achievements, Jeevan Kaushal 2.0 guidelines and launch of Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Programme (MMTTP) for faculty development.
Indian Students Supported to Pursue Higher Education Abroad
Further, on supporting students to pursue higher education abroad, the ministry said that Indian Missions often engage with educational institutions and local authorities for the student welfare. It also conducts consular camps, Open House sessions, orientation programmes, and informs Indian students about the welfare and emergency information, studying in those countries through social media and diaspora associations.
The government also encourages students choosing to pursue higher education abroad to register with Indian Missions and MADAD portal so that the grievances can be addressed at the earliest. Additionally, the student welfare officers have been appointed at Indian Mission, while the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) provides financial assistance for emergency and welfare-related needs of Indian students, including overseas.