'India surpasses China as top source of int'l graduate students in US'

NT Bureau, Agencies

New Delhi: According to Open Doors Report (ODR) data, India surpassed China to become the largest source of international graduate students in the United States for the first time since 2009-10.

The number of Indian graduate students rose by 63 per cent to 1,65,936 students, an increase of nearly 64,000 students, compared to last year, while Indian undergraduate students also increased by 16 per cent.

There were 1.26 lakh Chinese graduate students in the US during the same period. ODR data also shows India leading in the number of individuals (69,062) who pursued optional practical training (OPT), a type of temporary work permission that allows eligible students to get realworld experience related to their field of study.

The number of Indians who travelled to the United States for higher education increased by 35 per cent and resulted in an all-time high of 2,68,923 students in academic year 2022- 23, according to the report.

Indian students constitute more than 25 per cent of the over one million foreign students studying in the US and for the third year in a row, a record number of Indian students travelled to the country to pursue higher education, the report said.

"You did it, India! Each and every Indian student in the United States and the families supporting their success deserve recognition for this  achievement,"said Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India.