45% drop in Indians at US universities

Today’s edition tracks a sharp 45% drop in Indian students heading to US universities amid visa uncertainty and rising costs, a political flashpoint involving Zohran Mamdani in an ICE detention case, and an online storm over a Harvard Sanskrit course artwork accused of being “Hinduphobic”.

THE BIG STORY

45% drop in Indians at US universities

Visa uncertainty and rising costs are driving a sharp fall in Indian enrolments.

Driving the news:
Indian student enrolments at US universities have dropped by 45%, as visa delays, tighter scrutiny and escalating tuition costs reshape study-abroad decisions. Education consultants and university officials point to prolonged processing timelines, heightened compliance checks and the overall cost of living in the US as key deterrents. Families are reassessing the return on investment amid currency pressures and growing uncertainty around post-study work options.

Why it matters:
Indian students form one of the largest international cohorts in American higher education. A sharp contraction does not just affect campuses, it reshapes migration pipelines, tech talent flows and diaspora trajectories. For many middle-class Indian families, the US has long symbolised opportunity. A sustained decline suggests that dream is becoming more complicated and more expensive.

The big picture:

Visa unpredictability is altering long-term education planning.
Rising tuition and living costs are pushing students towards alternatives like the UK, Canada and Australia.
Changes in US immigration enforcement are feeding anxiety among prospective applicants.

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NRI WATCH

Zohran Mamdani at the centre of an ICE flashpoint

New York lawmaker Zohran Mamdani found himself in the national spotlight after a Columbia University student detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement was set to be released following a reported meeting between Mamdani and President Donald Trump. What began as a campus-level immigration issue quickly escalated into a politically charged moment, with Mamdani positioned as a key interlocutor.

The episode has amplified Mamdani’s profile beyond New York’s political circles. Known for his vocal stance on immigrant rights and civil liberties, he stepped directly into a high-stakes federal matter, reinforcing his image as an activist lawmaker willing to challenge enforcement actions.

For the Indian and South Asian diaspora, his involvement carries symbolic weight. It reflects the growing visibility of diaspora-linked politicians in US power structures, even in contentious immigration debates. At the same time, it underscores how student detentions and visa cases can rapidly become political flashpoints in today’s polarised climate.

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OFFBEAT

Harvard’s Sanskrit artwork sparks ‘Hinduphobia’ row

Harvard University has found itself in the middle of an online storm after artwork featured on its Department of South Asian Studies website for an Elementary Sanskrit course drew sharp criticism from Hindu advocacy groups. The image, described by critics as resembling something “straight out of a horror movie”, triggered allegations of bias and “blatant Hinduphobia”.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America objected to the visual representation, arguing that Sanskrit, often described as a sacred language in Hindu tradition, was being framed in a dark and unsettling manner. The debate quickly spilled onto social media, reigniting broader conversations about how Western academic institutions depict Hindu symbols and traditions.

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