With the pandemic wreaking havoc on any kind of international travel and business, the Government of India has reported that a total of 2,61,406 Indians have travelled abroad for higher education in 2020. Compared to the 5,88,931 students who had travelled a year ago, i.e. 2019, for higher education.
Answer a written question in Lok Sabha, V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs revealed that data from the Bureau of Immigration highlighted the total number of Indians who travelled abroad for higher education from 2016-2020. As per the data, 3,71,506 students travelled in 2016, 4,56,823 students travelled in 2017, 5,20,342 students travelled in 2018, 5,88,931 students travelled in 2019 and 2,61,406 students travelled in 2020.
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Further adding to the numbers, Muraleedharan highlighted that 1,37,26,945 Indian citizens have travelled to various countries abroad over a span of 5 years (Dated - 1st Jan 2016 to 18th March 2021) on employment visas. Muraleedhrana further added that 52 lakh people were repatriated to India under the Vande Bharat Mission as of March 22, 2021.
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Further highlighting International Travel numbers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation revealed that steps were taken to help people travel abroad, which also included sending people to their countries of employment or residence, as well. These measures further increased the total number of people facilitated under the Vande Bharat Mission to 67.9 lakhs. The Vande Bharat MIssion was launched in a bid to help people stuck in countries abroad due to travel restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.
