Another 15% chose “applying for job” as their next step, without indicating whether the job would be in India or overseas NEW DELHI: The foreign degree may be global, but the career plan is largely homeward-bound: 81% of Indian study-abroad aspirants surveyed by Oxford International said they planned to return to India after completing their courses. Nearly nine in 10 were the first in their family to pursue education overseas, while almost half said the decision to go abroad was their own.The findings are part of the third edition of Student Global Mobility Index, which combines 17,925 responses to core questions with about 2,400 responses to additional questions on courses, family background, information sources and post-study plans. Another 15% chose “applying for job” as their next step, without indicating whether the job would be in India or overseas.The biggest shift over three survey cycles is in who drives the decision. Self-motivated students rose from 29% in 2023-24 to 34% in 2024-25 and 49% in 2025-26. Family influence fell from 59% to 37% and then 36%. Younger students were more likely to rely on family guidance, while older applicants tended to decide independently. Self-motivation was highest in north and south India; family influence was strongest in the west and central region.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAcademic choices were heavily concentrated. Seven in 10 were applying for postgraduate courses, and 75% identified business and management as their main field. Health and medicine was a distant second at 8%. Sciences accounted for 2% and engineering 1%.Google searches led 39% of students to their institution, followed by agents (35%). But Google’s lead widened on trust: 56% named it their most trusted source for education information, compared with 20% for college events and 9% for Instagram. AI tools were trusted most by 6% and YouTube by 5%.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More‘Gen Z Protesters Are Not Anti-National’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Protest Is A Way Of Dialogue’Jharkhand’s ‘Sonam Wangchuk 2.0′ Devendra Nath Mahato Enters Day 5 Of Indefinite Hunger Strike Fast’Not Enemies’: Rijiju Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Sansad Logjam, Reacts To Amit Shah Statement DemandAtiq Ahmed’s Youngest Son Abaan Dies In Jhansi Road Accident, Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Crash‘Youth Wants CJP To Become Political Party’: Dipke, Saurav Das Announce ‘Kya Bolti Public’ CampaignBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong Conviction123PhotostoriesKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii actress Tina Parekh ditched designer lehenga and lavish venue; opted for a simple wedding surrounded by family in an ashram8 traditional varieties of South Indian idlis that are perfect for breakfastRakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani look straight out of modern-day ‘Ramayan’ in regal Gopi Vaid ensembles10 trendy three-letter baby names with beautiful meaningsYour 50s could decide how many years you live without dementia: Study says controlling 3 midlife health risks may add up to 12.6 healthy brain yearsJacqueline Fernandez proves charcoal is the new black in a show-stopping Manish Malhotra ensembleNo parenting book can prepare you for this: 7 powerful lessons every parent only learns through experienceNot everything you were taught was meant to set you free: 8 beliefs every woman needs to unlearn to finally live life on her own terms5 simple ways to reheat pizza so it tastes fresh again: Which method works best and why5 subtle signs the universe is preparing you for a new beginning123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case
NEW DELHI: The foreign degree may be global, but the career plan is largely homeward-bound: 81% of Indian study-abroad aspirants surveyed by Oxford International said they planned to return to India after completing their courses. Nearly nine in 10 were the first in their family to pursue education overseas, while almost half said the decision to go abroad was their own.The findings are part of the third edition of Student Global Mobility Index, which combines 17,925 responses to core questions with about 2,400 responses to additional questions on courses, family background, information sources and post-study plans. Another 15% chose “applying for job” as their next step, without indicating whether the job would be in India or overseas.The biggest shift over three survey cycles is in who drives the decision. Self-motivated students rose from 29% in 2023-24 to 34% in 2024-25 and 49% in 2025-26. Family influence fell from 59% to 37% and then 36%. Younger students were more likely to rely on family guidance, while older applicants tended to decide independently. Self-motivation was highest in north and south India; family influence was strongest in the west and central region.
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Academic choices were heavily concentrated. Seven in 10 were applying for postgraduate courses, and 75% identified business and management as their main field. Health and medicine was a distant second at 8%. Sciences accounted for 2% and engineering 1%.Google searches led 39% of students to their institution, followed by agents (35%). But Google’s lead widened on trust: 56% named it their most trusted source for education information, compared with 20% for college events and 9% for Instagram. AI tools were trusted most by 6% and YouTube by 5%.
