India’s Higher Education Landscape Gains Momentum As More Students Explore Opportunities Closer to Home
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The number of Indians travelling overseas for education declined from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 7.70 lakh in 2024 and 6.26 lakh in 2025, according to Bureau of Immigration data shared by the Ministry of Education in Parliament. This trend is also reflected in the India Gen Z Outlook 2026 report by Emeritus, which found that 48% of respondents who had considered studying abroad reported a decline in their interest over the preceding year.
Further, 69% of students transitioning to higher education expressed a preference for international programmes based in India to avoid visa-related uncertainty. These findings point to changing considerations around overseas education and bring greater focus to India’s higher education ecosystem, including the quality of infrastructure and accommodation available to students pursuing their education within the country.
Geopolitical developments, particularly the ongoing uncertainty across West Asia, have added another dimension to these considerations. Traditionally attractive for its proximity to India, international university presence and relatively accessible education options, the Gulf region is also witnessing students and families reassessing their plans in light of regional instability and concerns around safety and academic continuity.
This evolving landscape is bringing greater attention to India’s higher education ecosystem and the infrastructure that supports it. As students increasingly explore opportunities closer to home, the focus is extending beyond academic institutions to the overall experience of living independently while pursuing higher education. Access to safe, comfortable and well-managed accommodation, opportunities for social interaction, wellness and a sense of community are becoming important considerations for students and their families.
Commenting on this evolving shift, Bharat Agarwal, Founder, AURUS Residences, said, “The way students and parents approach higher education is changing. While global exposure and international opportunities continue to hold considerable appeal, families are increasingly evaluating the overall value of their decisions, including safety, affordability, quality of education and the environment in which students will live. We believe this presents an important opportunity for India to strengthen its higher education ecosystem, not just through its academic institutions but also through the quality of student infrastructure. At AURUS, we see student accommodation as an integral part of the education journey. A well-designed living environment should give students the independence to grow, the comfort to focus on their ambitions and a community where they feel supported. Our endeavour is to contribute to this evolving ecosystem by creating student residences that go beyond conventional accommodation.”
Founded in 2019, AURUS operates across 8+ cities, with a network of 30+ residences and over 2,500 beds. The brand offers premium, professionally managed student accommodation that combines hospitality, comfort and safety, with facilities including dedicated study areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, dining and recreational spaces, 24/7 security and curated community experiences designed to support students’ academic and personal lives.
As India’s higher education landscape continues to evolve, the role of student accommodation is also gaining importance. For students choosing to pursue their ambitions within the country, access to quality living environments can play a significant role in shaping their university experience. AURUS aims to be part of this shift by bringing a more structured, hospitality-led approach to student living in India.
