Data presented in parliament on 18 December 2024 revealed that 1,968 Indian students had enrolled in Pakistani institutions between 2019-20 and 2023-24
NEW DELHI – The recent decision by India and Pakistan to suspend visa facilities for each other’s citizens is set to impact Indian students far more severely than their Pakistani counterparts, according to an official report.
Following last week’s Pahalgam attack, the Indian government’s Cabinet Committee on Security announced the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVEA) for Pakistani nationals. In response, Islamabad halted visa issuance for Indian citizens, barring Sikh religious pilgrims.
While both governments claim national security concerns as the reason behind these measures, the move is expected to disproportionately affect Indian students studying in Pakistan.
Data presented by the central government in Parliament on 18 December 2024 revealed that 1,968 Indian students had enrolled in Pakistani institutions between 2019-20 and 2023-24 — averaging nearly 400 new admissions every year.
In contrast, only about 26 Pakistani students were reported to be residing in India over the same period, according to a survey by India’s education department. This includes both new and existing admissions.
The large difference in numbers has puzzled officials and academics alike, with no clear explanation available as to why Pakistan is attracting more Indian students and what specific courses they are pursuing.
A former University Grants Commission (UGC) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that most Indian students in Pakistan are enrolled in private institutions offering courses in medicine, engineering, and management.
“The curriculum for professional courses in Pakistan is quite similar to India’s. Students who fail to secure seats in India often look for opportunities elsewhere in Asia. Pakistan might be one such affordable option,” the former official said.
For Indian students who complete medical degrees abroad — excluding countries like the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — the road to practising medicine in India is not straightforward. They must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), conducted by the National Board of Examinations.
According to available data, in 2023, ten Indian students who graduated from four medical colleges in Pakistan appeared for the FMGE. Only two passed the exam, highlighting the challenges faced by these students when returning home.
Despite the figures being relatively small in the broader context of international education migration, the impact on Indian students is significant. The abrupt cancellation of visas will force these students to abandon their studies or seek alternative arrangements in other countries, causing financial loss and emotional distress.
An education expert said, “The numbers may not be huge, but for the affected students and their families, it is a major disruption. Education plans, career goals, and personal finances are all thrown into uncertainty.”
The South Asian University (SAU), established in New Delhi by SAARC member countries, may also suffer disruptions due to the visa cancellations. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, currently serves as the Chair of SAU’s Governing Board.
Ahmed had attended the last board meeting in January this year in Delhi. However, with the visa ban now in place, it is uncertain whether he will be able to attend any future meetings before his term expires.
SAU officials expressed concern that governance and planning processes might be delayed. “Cross-border academic cooperation will take a direct hit. Such situations make it difficult to run institutions which were set up precisely to foster regional understanding,” said an official familiar with SAU’s operations.
The tit-for-tat visa suspensions following the Pahalgam attack, although intended as measures against terrorism, have once again highlighted how ordinary people, particularly students, often become unintended victims of geopolitical tensions.
With no clear roadmap for resolution between India and Pakistan, the future remains uncertain for Indian students enrolled in Pakistani institutions, many of whom are now left facing difficult choices.
