US student visa data shows 13.5% decline in Indian students

Data from the US Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) reveals that the number of active Indian students in the United States fell by approximately 13.5% over one year. The total number of Indian students dropped to 316,893 in October 2026, down from 366,258 in October 2025.

The decline was most significant at the master's level, where enrollment fell by about 20%, dropping from 292,929 to 234,034. Conversely, doctoral enrollment saw an increase, rising from 28,609 to 41,729. Despite this drop, India remains the largest source of international students in the US.

Overall international student numbers also decreased by about 7.1%. The decline in Indian enrollment occurs amid increased US scrutiny of student visas, proposed fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM extensions, and broader shifts in legal immigration pathways. The nonprofit network Indiaspora attributed the trend to anti-Indian rhetoric during the election season.