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LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1196
ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2024

INDIAN STUDENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

1196. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the total number of students going to foreign countries for further studies during the last four years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;

(b) the total number of students from India who have been deported from foreign countries and sent back to India during the last four years, State-wise, including Andhra Pradesh;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any research/study/survey of the issue of student deportations from foreign countries, including US, UK, Germany, Canada and Australia, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has any scheme/initiative providing for the care, well-being and assistance to students in foreign countries, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) As per the information shared by the Bureau of Immigration, the total number of Indian nationals who disclosed their purpose as study/ education while going abroad during the last four years is as follows:

(b & c) As per the information available with the Ministry, 610 students pursuing studies in USA and Canada have been deported to India in the last four years. Reasons for deportation of Indian students include non- payment of tuition fees, inability to show proof of payment of tuition fees, lack of documents about availability of accommodation and submission of fraudulent admission letters.

(d) The welfare of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India. Indian Missions/ Posts abroad arrange welcome ceremonies for students enrolled for studying in foreign universities, encouraging them to register with the Missions/ Posts. Wherever Indian students are enrolled in Universities abroad, the Missions keep in regular touch with them. Heads of Mission/Post and senior officials visit Universities and educational institutions for regular interactions with Indian students and student associations. Indian Missions/ Posts abroad respond to any issues faced by Indian students on priority basis. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 Helplines, Open Houses, and MADAD portal. Any complaints received from the students abroad are taken up with the concerned universities/ educational institutions and the host government as the case may be, for requisite action. Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor the well-being of students. In case there is any untoward incident, it is immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the incident is properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished. During emergency or crisis situations, our Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed /stranded Indian students in terms of providing food, shelter, medicine and return passage to India using the Indian Community Welfare Fund. Most recently, Indian students were repatriated under various operations such as Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga and Operation Ajay from countries around the world.

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