According to a report by the Institute of International Education, India has now become the contributor of graduate students in the United States, surpassing China. This is the time since 2009-10 that India has taken the lead. In the year 2022-23, a record number of 268,923 students are currently enrolled in American institutions, representing a significant 35% increase compared to the previous year. These Indian students make up more than 25% of the international student population studying in the US, which is over one million. It’s worth noting that there has been a surge in graduate students, with an impressive growth rate of 63%, totalling 165,936 during this period. Additionally, there has been an increase of 16% among Indian students.
Another noteworthy finding from the report is that India stands out as having the number (69,062) of individuals pursuing practical training (OPT), which serves as temporary work permission, allowing them to gain real-world experience related to their field of study.
The US embassy and consulates in India have acknowledged this achievement by mentioning that India has surpassed China in terms of graduate student numbers. The embassy and consulates issued an all-time number of student visas during the primary student visa season from June to August 2023. This marked an 18% increase compared to the period last year. Specifically, consular officers granted a total of 95,269 visas falling under the F ( M Vocational) and J (exchange visitor) categories.
To help students in their search for study options, the US State Department offers complimentary advisory services through EducationUSA advising centres located in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad. These centres are managed by advisors who provide current information, about studying in the United States. They assist students in exploring accredited higher education institutions and identifying the most suitable programs based on their individual requirements.
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