Sixty-two Indian students have been denied entry to the US by foreign immigration authorities during the last five years, according to data shared by the Centre in Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha also shared country-wise data on Indian students deported from several countries over this period.
Kirti Vardhan Singh said that in several cases, "entry of Indian students had been denied by foreign immigration authorities on account of their carrying incomplete or inappropriate admission documents of their universities, failing to complete the administrative procedures required for enrolment in the universities, or for being unable to answer basic questions about their chosen field of study in foreign academic institutions". The Ministry of External Affairs was also asked country-wise figures on the number of Indian students studying abroad.
According to the data shared by Kirti Vardhan Singh in his response, as on January 1, 2025, the total number of Indian students studying abroad in 153 countries stood at 18,82,318.
Out of these, the country-wise figures were -- 2,55,447 (the US); 1,73,190 (the UK); 2,53,832 (the UAE) and 1,96,108 (Australia).
The ministry was also asked the country-wise figures on the number of Indian students "deported or denied entry by foreign immigration authorities" during the last five years.
In response to this query, the government shared a list of 11 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Finland.
According to the shared tabulated data, the country-wise figures related to the "number of Indian students who have been denied entry during the last five years" were -- 62 (the US) and 11 (Kyrgyzstan). For remaining nine countries in this tabulated list, the corresponding figures mentioned were nil.
Also, the country-wise figures related to the "number of Indian students who have been deported during the last five years" were -- 170 (the UK); 114 (Australia); 82 (Russia); 45 (the US); 13 (Ukraine) and five (Finland).
The MEA was also asked major reasons cited for such deportations, including cases linked to fraudulent or unaccredited foreign educational programmes; and the steps taken by the ministry, with dates of advisories or warnings issued, to safeguard Indian students from misleading foreign educational courses.
"The major reasons cited for deportations primarily relate to violations of visa norms and non-compliance with the regulations of host countries by Indian students.
"Common grounds for deportation include breach of student visa conditions, such as undertaking employment that is not permitted under student visa rules, illegal business activities, or violations of internal regulations of the host country, such as acts inciting ethnic hatred, conflict, separatism, or disseminating prohibited information," Singh said in his response.
"Students have also faced deportation by foreign governments for failing to maintain the requisite financial bank balance in countries where they had been studying, for not paying university fees or for being unable to demonstrate adequate financial capacity to support their stay and studies, for having insufficient attendance in classes or for complete withdrawal from the registered academic programmes or universities, etc.," he said.
The minister said the government of India accords "high priority" to safeguarding the interests and welfare of Indian students abroad, including protecting them from misleading foreign educational course.
Indian missions maintain regular contact with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities, he said.
"Embassy officials also visit universities and educational institutions in their jurisdictions to interact with Indian students and student associations and to assess any issue concerning the credibility or quality of courses being pursued.
"Several Indian Missions also issue formal advisories for Indian students under their jurisdiction aimed towards protecting their interests, welfare and safety in foreign lands," Singh said.
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