RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2311
ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026
SAFETY OF INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD
2311. SHRI RAJINDER GUPTA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of deaths of Indian students abroad during the last five years, country-wise and year-wise, along with the reasons therefor;
(b) the number of distress cases involving Indian students abroad during that period, including health emergencies, crime, discrimination, visa and financial issues;
(c) the mechanisms in place with Indian Missions and posts to provide timely consular assistance;
(d) whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding the adequacy of embassy and consular responses and the findings thereof; and
(e) the measures proposed to strengthen monitoring, grievance redressal and welfare support for Indian students studying abroad?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The number of Indian students who have lost their lives abroad year-wise during the last five years categorized by country of residence and cause of death, is attached at Annexure-I.
(b) The number of distress cases involving Indian students abroad during the last five years, including health emergencies, crime, discrimination, visa and financial issues, is attached at Annexure-II.
(c) Government of India accords high priority to safeguarding the interests and welfare of all Indian students abroad and ensures provisioning of timely consular assistance to them. Indian Missions/Posts take steps to maintain regular contacts with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities in their jurisdictions, and brief them on potential challenges, risks, and precautions to be taken while studying overseas, including issue of advisories from time to time.
With the view to ensuring effective communication and timely support, Indian students are encouraged to connect with the local Indian Missions/Posts through various means, including the MADAD Portal of this Ministry, WhatsApp Groups created specifically for Indian students, Consular Camps, Open Houses, emergency hotlines etc. Complaints related to misleading academic programmes or adverse experiences reported by Indian students overseas are promptly taken up with the concerned educational institutions and, when required, with authorities of the host country for necessary action.
Indian Missions/Posts also remain vigilant, particularly in countries affected by political instability, economic crises, and where the risks of students being misled or exploited may be higher. Any incident affecting Indian students are immediately raised with host Governments to ensure their safety and appropriate redressal. Consular assistance, including emergency medical support, temporary accommodation, and other essential services, is extended whenever needed. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is utilised to support Indian nationals, including students, in times of distress and extend assistance, when necessary.
(d) The Ministry of External Affairs constantly reviews and monitors the existing mechanisms for promoting the well-being of Indian students abroad. It has, especially, worked towards strengthening the responsiveness of Indian Missions/Posts, particularly in countries with substantial presence of Indian students, towards addressing safety concerns of the latter. Ministry has recognized the need to strengthen its support to Indian diaspora and students abroad through more effective use of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). This Ministry has also recently formulated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Student Outreach and Engagement by Indian Missions and Posts abroad underscoring the importance it attaches to promoting focused interaction with and support to Indian students abroad.
(e) The Ministry of External Affairs continuously endeavours to strengthen monitoring, grievance redressal and welfare support for Indian students studying abroad, particularly through interlinked digital platforms and diverse efforts to promote their integration with India Missions/Posts abroad. It has instituted and constantly strives to enhance the effectiveness of key systems such as the eMigrate portal, Passport Seva Programme, MADAD portal, Global Pravasi Rishta portal, etc. for formulation of targeted and focused policies to promote safety, security and welfare of Indian students in foreign lands.