(a) whether the number of Indian students studying in UK has decreased considerably in recent years;
(b) if so, the details for the last three years;
(c) whether stringent visa rules by Britain have adversely affected the Indian students aspiring to study in UK;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether India has taken up the matter with Britain; and
(f) if so, the response of UK thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Yes.
(b) The number of Indian students enrolled in the UK universities was 39,090 in 2010-11, 29,900 in 2011-12, 22,385 in 2012-13 and 19,750 in 2013-14 according to the data published by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency.
(c) & (d) Withdrawal of the post-study work visa facility for the students is one of the reasons that has adversely affected the number of Indian students aspiring to study in the UK.
(e) Yes.
(f) This issue has been raised consistently by India in the bilateral discussions held with UK. In such discussions, UK side has acknowledged that there has been a decline in the number of Indian students coming to study in UK. They have stated that there is no cap on the number of Indian students coming to study in UK and that they in fact welcome Indian students to UK.