Indian students in US down 13.5% to 3.17 lakh, master's enrolment falls 20%
By TUF News Desk · Published 1 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
49,365 fewer Indian students held active records in the United States this October than a year earlier. Data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) puts the count at 316,893 in October 2026, down from 366,258 in October 2025, a fall of about 13.5%.
The drop is steeper than the overall decline in international students. Total active international students in SEVIS fell from 1,283,240 to 1,192,572 over the same period, about 7.1%. Students from China, the second largest group, fell about 10.2%, from 245,038 to 220,157. India’s share of all active international students slipped from about 28.5% to about 26.6%, but India remains the largest source country.
Master’s students account for most of the fall
Master’s programmes carry the bulk of Indian enrolment in the US, and they took the hardest hit. Indian master’s students numbered 234,034 in October 2026, down from 292,929 a year earlier, a drop of about 20%.
Bachelor’s numbers moved much less, from 38,522 to 36,011. Doctoral enrolment went in the opposite direction, rising from 28,609 to 41,729.
One detail matters for anyone reading them. SEVIS counts students with active records in the system, including those on Optional Practical Training (OPT) after finishing their course. The numbers are a snapshot for one month, not a count of everyone who enrolled during a full year.
What is being blamed for the decline
The decline comes as the US tightens scrutiny of student visas, discusses proposed fees on OPT and STEM extensions, and cracks down more broadly on legal immigration pathways. Indiaspora, a nonprofit network of Indian-origin leaders, said in a statement on October 30 that “Fewer Indian students are choosing to study in the United States,” linking the trend to “anti-Indian rhetoric” this election season.
The October figures extend a slide that was already visible in the summer. The Hindu BusinessLine reported in August that the count had fallen for 10 straight months since September 2025, reaching 338,230 in July 2026, a 29-month low. In that month, master’s enrolment was down 11.3% year on year. Industry estimates published around the same time suggested Fall 2026 could see up to 1,11,000 fewer international student registrations across US universities.
What applicants should take from this
For students still planning to apply, checking the basics before paying any fee matters. Confirm that a university is certified to enrol international students through the official DHS Study in the States schools page, and read the visa and OPT rules, since those rules are part of what is moving the numbers.
Costs deserve the same care. A master’s degree in the US is usually the most expensive route in this data, and it is also the segment shrinking fastest, so funding and loan terms need a hard look before an offer is accepted. Our guide to choosing a university in India sets out the trade-offs worth weighing when comparing an Indian institution with a foreign one, and our admission documents checklist covers the paperwork that trips up applications at the last stage.
The next monthly snapshot will show whether October was a low point or another step down. For now, fewer Indians are heading to the US for a master’s degree, while research degrees are still drawing more of them.
Frequently asked questions
How many Indian students are currently in the US?
SEVIS data for October 2026 shows 316,893 active Indian students, down from 366,258 in October 2025, a fall of 49,365 or about 13.5%.
Which level of study saw the biggest fall among Indian students in the US?
Master’s programmes, where Indian enrolment fell from 292,929 to 234,034, a drop of about 20%. Doctoral enrolment moved the other way, rising from 28,609 to 41,729.
Do the SEVIS figures count every Indian student enrolled in the US over a year?
No. They count students with active records in a single month, including those on Optional Practical Training, so they are a snapshot rather than an annual total.
Is India still the largest source of international students in the US?
Yes. India’s share of all active international students slipped from about 28.5% to about 26.6%, but it remains the largest source country.
Frequently asked questions
How many Indian students are currently in the US?
SEVIS data for October 2026 shows 316,893 active Indian students, down from 366,258 in October 2025, a fall of 49,365 or about 13.5%.
Which level of study saw the biggest fall among Indian students in the US?
Master's programmes, where Indian enrolment fell from 292,929 to 234,034, a drop of about 20%. Doctoral enrolment moved the other way, rising from 28,609 to 41,729.
Do the SEVIS figures count every Indian student enrolled in the US over a year?
No. They count students with active records in a single month, including those on Optional Practical Training, so they are a snapshot rather than an annual total.
Is India still the largest source of international students in the US?
Yes. India's share of all active international students slipped from about 28.5% to about 26.6%, but it remains the largest source country.
Sources: IANS, Yes Punjab, The Hindu BusinessLine