Why Indian Students Are Leaving India?

• What’s Happening?
• Alarming Data!!
• Steps by the Face? Reality!!
• Our Collapsed Education System
• Outside Truth!

What’s Happening?

Politics is full of big talks. We hear about five-year plans, being the 5th largest GDP in the world, and how RBI reserves have broken records. But there is not much discussion about whether students can secure a good job after studying for 5 years. Furthermore, having the 5th largest GDP in the world does not necessarily translate to a high per capita income for individuals. And what about our reserves? Do we have enough money in our bank accounts? Similarly, in geopolitics, there is more focus on Ukraine vs Russia, China vs USA, Trudeau vs Modi, etc. But we tend to overlook the fact that our students are migrating to Ukraine, Russia, America, Canada, or even China.

We are exporting skilled labor and high-net-worth individuals, making us world leaders in that regard. However, in recent times, a record number of students are leaving India. This is an alarming trend that needs attention.

Alarming Data!!

It’s alarming to know that in 2022 alone, an estimated 750,000 Indian students left their country to study abroad, and it’s highly unlikely that they will return. To put this into perspective, Indian students are the least likely to return compared to other countries. However, there’s a silver lining to this. The “Make In India” initiative has made it possible for over 100,000 students to secure visas to study abroad, and India now surpasses China with twice the number of students studying overseas.

However, this brain drain isn’t the fault of the students or their parents. They’re seeking better opportunities to study and work, which are scarce in India. Reports show that in May 2023, global IT companies laid off 200,000 employees, while some IT companies continue to pay engineers as little as 25,000 to 30,000 INR. With youth unemployment at a staggering 42.3%, it’s evident that the government and opposition need to take this issue seriously and find solutions.

We can’t ignore this problem any longer. It’s time for our leaders to step up and create policies that promote employment opportunities and encourage companies to invest in India. With innovative ideas and the right support, we can keep our talented students and graduates in the country and make India a hub for innovation and growth.

Steps by the Face? Reality!!

The PM’s speech covered a range of topics such as online learning, technological advancements, G20 success, India’s progress as a world leader, the Women’s Reservation Bill, and Chandrayaan 3. However, he did not mention employment opportunities and numbers, despite the government’s acknowledgment of a 70% increase in the number of students going abroad to study after the pandemic. The lack of practical skills and employability in today’s knowledge economy remains an issue, leading to layoffs, toxic work environments, and startup failures. Pursuing higher education or working overseas comes at a great cost and often leads to a life of humiliation.

Our Collapsed Education System

The education system in India is in dire need of reform. Despite the high value society places on higher education, it remains inaccessible and unaffordable for many. Enrollment rates are low, and even those who manage to get admitted may not be guaranteed a job. Dropout rates are high, particularly for marginalized groups. Furthermore, the quality of education in India is often substandard, with many universities and colleges lacking accreditation. This is exacerbated by a lack of proper funding and expenditure on research and development.

The State of Working India report reveals that 42.3% of graduates under 25 are unable to secure employment. This is an alarming trend that demands immediate attention from the government and opposition. The private sector is struggling, and many public sector jobs remain unfilled. The gig economy provides little job security or safety net, and the disappearance of labor laws and welfare boards only adds to the uncertainty.

It is time for the government and opposition to take action to address these problems. We need policies that promote employment opportunities and encourage companies to invest in India. Innovative ideas and proper support can keep our talented students and graduates in the country, making India a hub for innovation and growth. We must also address the issue of the brain drain, which sees a record number of students leaving India to study abroad. This trend is alarming and needs to be reversed. It is not the fault of the students or their parents, who are seeking better opportunities to work and study. The government must invest in the education system to make it more accessible and affordable for all.

Outside Truth!

The situation outside is equally dire. Only wealthy students can afford the expensive fees for masters degrees, due to the decreasing value of the Indian rupee. Even the budgets of rich kids in India are getting tight with rising costs of fees, rent, and groceries, and they can no longer afford Starbucks coffee. Many students work minimum wage jobs for 8-10 hours a day to make ends meet while studying. Developed countries are attracting Indian students for their education, but this brain drain is not leading to ownership opportunities. Despite earning a master’s degree, opportunities remain scarce and people are finding that they remain trapped in a poverty cycle.

The American Dream is also fading away due to global layoffs and recessions, with low salaries making it difficult to attain. People don’t want to give up and return to India, but the job market is already tight in the US, and Canada is facing diplomatic tensions. Racism and xenophobia in Australia, the UK, Canada, and the US also make it difficult for immigrants. This is the condition of our country’s degree holders and legal immigrants, and millions of young people like you who are the biggest asset of the country. The government should have used the demographic dividend and population boom to create India as a manufacturing and creative hub, but that did not happen.

Unemployment and brain drain are complex problems, but the solution lies in investing in primary and higher education, focusing on R&D, updating the curriculum, and making education holistic. The government needs to invest more money ensure quality education, and create a conducive economic system where jobs increase. However, as long as the government prioritizes including pranayama in the syllabus, Sanskrit, and taking away jobs from professors who criticize the government, educated unemployment will persist in India. PhD holders will continue to apply for peon jobs or stand outside embassies for visas.