Punjab, Gujarat, and Chandigarh Lead India in Sending Students Abroad

Punjab, Gujarat, and Chandigarh Lead India in Sending Students Abroad

New Delhi (National Times): According to a recent report, based on passport issuance data between 2016 and 2021, Punjab, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have emerged as the top regions in India sending the highest number of students abroad per lakh population. A lot of people from India look forward to moving to other countries, seeking a bright future. In the meantime, let’s have a look at what the numbers say.

Key Highlights:

Punjab tops the chart with 869 students per lakh population going abroad for studies.

Gujarat follows closely with 278 students per lakh, while Chandigarh recorded a staggering 1,046 students per lakh, the highest in the country.

The national average during this period stood at 163 students per lakh population.

High-Mobility Regions:

Several other states also exceeded the national average, including:

  • Delhi – 851
  • Haryana – 153
  • Maharashtra – 215
  • Tamil Nadu – 211
  • Jammu & Kashmir + Ladakh – 235
  • Uttarakhand – 139
  • Karnataka – 172

Low Outbound Mobility:

Conversely, some of India’s most populous states sent comparatively fewer students abroad:

  • Uttar Pradesh – 35
  • Bihar – 14
  • Madhya Pradesh – 37
  • Odisha – 25
  • Jharkhand – 25
  • Chhattisgarh – 34

South Indian states like Andhra Pradesh (54) and Telangana (4) showed mixed patterns, with Telangana notably at the bottom, suggesting either fewer passport issuances for study purposes or alternative migration channels.

Northeastern Outlook:

The northeastern states reported generally lower numbers. Manipur (131) was a significant exception, whereas states like Tripura (11), Mizoram (26), and Arunachal Pradesh (16) were well below the national average.

Methodology:

The data was derived from passport issuance figures based on Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4709 (answered on March 25, 2021) and UIDAI’s 2020 population projections. The figures represent per-lakh passport issuances for student purposes and not necessarily actual departure or enrollment abroad.

What It Implies:

This distribution reflects economic conditions, awareness, state-level educational aspirations, and access to overseas education infrastructure. States like Punjab and Gujarat have long-standing migration cultures, which likely contribute to their high outbound student numbers.

As India continues to be one of the top countries of origin for international students globally, regional trends like these provide crucial insights into the socio-economic dynamics driving global education mobility.

By Gurpreet Singh

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