Niti Aayog: India's Brain Drain Worsens as 1.3 Million Students Go Abroad

• Niti Aayog report reveals 1.33 million Indian students went abroad by 2024, while only 46,878 international students came to India in 2021-22.
• For every 1 international student in India, 28 Indian students went abroad, highlighting a significant "imbalance" and "brain drain."
• Indian students spent Rs 2.9 lakh crore on higher education abroad in 2023-24, equivalent to 53% of India's Union higher education budget.
• Top destinations for Indian students are Canada, US, UK, Australia, and Germany.
• Niti Aayog proposes 'Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship' and 'Fellowship', overhauling 'Study in India', and improving infrastructure to attract foreign students and retain talent.

Why It Matters: India faces a severe brain drain and financial outflow due to students studying abroad, necessitating urgent reforms.