Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar raised serious concerns about the increasing trend of Indian students going abroad for higher education, referring to it as a “new disease.” He highlighted the significant financial and intellectual toll this trend is having on the country and called for reforms in the education sector. His remarks, made during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Sobhasaria Group of Institutions in Sikar, Rajasthan, touched upon brain drain, foreign exchange losses, and the commercialization of education.

True or Exaggerated?

The Vice President’s concerns are rooted in some facts. India has indeed seen a dramatic increase in the number of students leaving the country for higher education. In 2024, an estimated 1.3 million Indian students pursued studies abroad, making India one of the largest sources of international students worldwide. Dhankhar expressed concern over the financial impact of this trend, claiming that it has created a $6 billion drain on India’s foreign exchange. This estimate aligns with reports that suggest billions of dollars are being spent by Indian families on overseas education, contributing to a foreign exchange outflow that could otherwise be directed toward improving domestic educational infrastructure.

While Dhankhar’s figure regarding foreign exchange loss is accurate, many argue that his criticism oversimplifies the reasons students are choosing to study abroad. The reality is that many Indian students pursue higher education overseas due to the perceived gaps in quality and opportunities at home. Even though India is home to some world-class institutions, many students believe that international universities offer better resources, diverse academic environments, and enhanced career prospects. This is especially true in fields like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), where institutions in countries like the United States, Canada, and the UK are seen as providing superior education and research opportunities.

Lack of Counselling and Blind Pursuit of Dreams

Dhankhar also pointed out that many students are influenced by advertisements and peer pressure, often making decisions to go abroad without adequate assessment of the institutions they are enrolling in. He highlighted that many parents and students lack proper counselling and are unaware of the global rankings or reputation of the foreign universities they choose.

This concern is valid to some extent. A significant number of students, particularly those from smaller towns or non-metro cities, may not have access to accurate information or career counselling. This can lead them to make uninformed choices, enrolling in institutions that may not offer the quality of education they seek. However, many students do thoroughly research their options and choose top-ranked universities that offer better prospects than what is available in India.

Impact on Brain Drain and Domestic Education

The Vice President emphasized that the departure of talented students abroad contributes to brain drain, where highly skilled individuals choose to live and work in other countries after completing their education. This has been a long-standing issue in India. However, it’s important to note that many students who study abroad eventually return to India with enhanced skills and global experience, contributing to the country’s development in various sectors. Therefore, while brain drain remains a concern, it is not as black and white as Dhankhar suggests.

Dhankhar also proposed that if the billions of dollars spent on foreign education were invested in improving India’s educational infrastructure, it could transform the country’s academic landscape. This is a valid point. India has the potential to create more world-class institutions, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which could provide quality education domestically and reduce the need for students to go abroad. However, this would require not only significant investment but also systemic reforms in the way education is delivered in India.

Commercialization of Education

Another key aspect of Dhankhar’s speech was his criticism of the commercialization of education in India. He expressed concern that education, once considered a charitable and noble endeavor, has now become a business. He pointed out that the profit-driven nature of many educational institutions is adversely affecting the quality of education, with some institutions even resorting to what he termed “extortion” through high fees. This criticism rings true, as the rising cost of private education in India has become a major issue for families across the country.

Dhankhar called for corporate houses to use their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support the development of educational institutions, particularly in rural areas. This suggestion aligns with the broader need for collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions to improve accessibility and quality.

Conclusion

Vice President Dhankhar’s remarks reflect genuine concerns about the state of education in India, including the growing trend of students going abroad, the brain drain, and the commercialization of education. His claim that this is burdening India’s foreign exchange is accurate, as billions of dollars leave the country every year for education abroad. However, the reasons behind this trend are complex. Many students choose to study abroad because they believe the quality of education, research opportunities, and career prospects are better overseas than in India.

While Dhankhar’s call to improve India’s domestic educational infrastructure and curb the commercialization of education is valid, addressing these issues will require significant reforms and investments in both the public and private sectors. Developing world-class institutions in India that can compete globally would be a major step toward reducing the outflow of students and retaining talent within the country.