81% Of Indian Students Really Plan To Return Home?

Article by Kumar Published on: 11:50 am, 8 August 2026

Studying abroad is becoming increasingly popular among Indian students. But a new survey suggests that most students do not see overseas education as a permanent move.

According to the Student Global Mobility Index by Oxford International 81% of students surveyed, said they plan to return to India after completing their studies.

The survey received 17,925 responses. Another 15% said their next step would be applying for a job but they did not clearly say whether they wanted to work in India or abroad.

The findings suggest that many Indian students now see foreign education as a way to gain international exposure and better academic and professional experience rather than as a plan to permanently settle abroad.

So yes the title is supported by the survey but it should be understood as 81% of surveyed students and not 81% of all Indian students.

But there is another side to this story. Many students say they plan to return to India after spending a few years abroad. However once they settle into jobs and build their careers and commitments overseas many eventually choose to stay back. The growing Indian community in countries like the US is a clear example of this trend.