(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

Indian students create record in USA:- India has achieved a historic milestone as it surpasses China and emerges as the largest source of international graduate students in the United States. The latest Open Doors Report (ODR) by the Institute of International Education (IIE) highlights that Indian students studying in the US has reached an all-time high of 2.68 lakh in the academic year 2022-23. This represents a 35% increase in the number of international students from India, and they now make up more than 25% of the over one million foreign students studying in the US.

The data reveals that Indian graduate students witnessed the most significant surge, with numbers rising by 63% to 1,65,936 students, compared to last year. Meanwhile, Indian undergraduate students also increased by 16%. The ODR also revealed that India has topped the list of countries whose students pursued optional practical training (OPT), with 69,062 individuals utilizing this type of temporary work permission to gain real-world experience related to their field of study.

Furthermore, the US Embassy and Consulates in India issued a record high number of student visas during the primary student visa season of June-August 2023. Consular officers across India issued 95,269 visas in the F, M, and J categories, an 18% increase over 2022 during the same timeframe. In light of these encouraging figures, the US Embassy in New Delhi has urged Indian students to take advantage of the six EducationUSA advising centers in India. These centers, located in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, are staffed by EducationUSA advisors who offer accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about opportunities to study in the United States, helping Indian students find the best program and fit from among more than 4,500 accredited U.S. higher-education institutions.