Empowering Overseas Indian Students: An Analysis Of The MEA's Students Registration Portal, 2015 - IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Anjana M

Background

The number of Indian students pursuing higher education programs abroad is estimated to stand at nearly 10.9 lakhs as of July 2019 (Student Registration Portal, MEA). In order to collect data about the number of Indian students abroad and the courses they are pursuing, and to enable a more effective grievance redressal mechanism, the ministry launched in July 2015 a portal (madad.gov.in/appconsular/welcomelink) for voluntary registration of Indian students abroad. The MEA operates the Students Registration Portal, which is anticipated to maintain a central database of Indian students overseas. The scheme is expected to enhance coordination and communication between students and Indian missions, particularly during emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, or political unrest.

This is a voluntary platform and puts the government in a more advantageous position to be prepared in case of a crisis. It equips the MEA and Indian missions with information that enables timely intervention, evacuation, or assistance, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic or Operation Ganga, where thousands of students were evacuated from Ukraine.

Key Features of the Portal

The Student Registration Portal is an online portal that provides an easy and friendly registration method for students. The major features are

Voluntary registration of Indian students abroad who are studying or intend to study overseas.
A safe and confidential database under the control of the MEA.
Access to future updates, advisories, and services of Indian embassies/consulates.

The portal is found on the website of MEA and can be accessed through: https://www.mea.gov.in

Why Registration Matters

The registration platform aims to provide proper assistance to students and solve their grievances in a foreign land. Especially during emergencies, having proper details regarding the number of students studying in a particular country and their location is essential for timely interventions. 3.20 crore people, including students (disembarkation—1.60 crore & embarkation—1.60 crore), have been facilitated during COVID under the “Vande Bharat Mission,” including the air bubble arrangements till March 2022.

8,282 Indian nationals, mainly students, were brought back to India from Ukraine at the Government of India’s cost by 90 flights, of which 76 were commercial flights and 14 were IAF flights in February and March 2022 through Operation Ganga (Source: MEA). Registration Portal is no bureaucratic nicety—it’s a lifeline in times of uncertainty. Registration has the following advantages:

1. Consular Assistance in an Emergency
During crises like war, civil unrest, or health emergencies, embassies cannot trace and assist all Indian nationals, especially students who have not registered. Registered students receive instant information, counseling, and evacuation.

2. Further Coordination with Foreign Missions
Registration helps the embassies and consulates to be aware of where the Indian students are congregating. This allows them to better organize outreach programs, community activities, and grievance redressal sessions.

3. Policy Development and Support Services
With the proper information, the MEA will be better equipped to make informed policies and support mechanisms for Indian students, ranging from internships and scholarships to legal help and health warnings.

4. Building Student Networks
Registration can also be utilized to provide opportunities to meet other Indian students and alumni communities in the same country or institution, which is beneficial for academic and social support.

Functioning

Visit the official MEA website: https://www.mea.gov.in/
Locate the “Student Registration Portal” section.
Visit the registration link and complete the required details. A properly formatted online form that collects vital details such as
Personal information
Passport number
Nation under scrutiny
Educational institution and program
Duration of study
Emergency contact numbers
Check the facts and complete the form.

It is recommended that students notify their details if they move to a different school or country, or if their course is completed. This portal launch traces its roots to the previous experiences when information was in short supply, and it was challenging for Indian missions to reach students. The Russian-Ukrainian war of 2022 was one such example. Thousands of Indian medical students were stuck in the war zone.

The Operation Ganga evacuation effort by the government brought to the forefront the need for the right and timely information about Indian citizens overseas (Source: MEA). Likewise, in the COVID-19 pandemic, embassies rushed to assist foreign students stranded overseas due to lockdowns and travel bans. It would have been greatly assisted if help had been coordinated and provided through a centralized database of foreign students

Impact

The portal allows the MEA to collect comprehensive data on Indian students studying internationally, which can be used to understand trends in overseas education and provide targeted support. As per the data shared by the government, in 2024, there are a total of 1,335,878 Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad. The figure stood at 1,318,955 in 2023, and in 2022, it was 907,404 (Pathak, P., 2024, August 5)
Indian missions/posts abroad respond to any issues faced by Indian students on a priority basis. Grievances are responded to through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24×7 helplines, open houses, and the MADAD portal.
The government is aware of some instances of fraudulent admissions in foreign universities through unscrupulous agencies, which are dealt with by the ministry on a case-by-case basis. Such cases are referred to the state governments for strict legal action against such education agents. Missions/posts abroad issue regular advisories to warn students about fake universities.
During emergencies or crises, Indian missions/posts abroad proactively help distressed/stranded Indian students by providing food, shelter, medicine, and return passage to India.
Most recently, Indian students from countries around the world were repatriated under various operations such as the Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga, and Operation Ajay.
3.20 crore people (disembarkation—1.60 crore & embarkation 1.60 crore) have been facilitated during COVID under the “Vande Bharat Mission”, including the air bubble arrangements till March 2022.
A total of 669 individuals have been evacuated from Afghanistan under “Operation Devi Shakti” by 6 IAF and Air India flights.
18,282 Indian nationals, mainly students, were brought back to India from Ukraine through “Operation Ganga.”
A total of 1343 people, including 1309 Indian nationals, 14 OCI card holders, and 20 Nepalese, have returned to India from Israel in 6 special flights under “Operation Ajay.”

Emerging Issues

The Ministry of External Affairs has country-wise data of the estimated number of Indian students studying abroad, which is over 10 lakhs. However, many students who go abroad for studies do not register themselves with the Indian Mission/Posts abroad, as per the records available. Many students are unaware of the programmes.
The Ministry of External Affairs does not have the information about the visa documentation of students leaving the country for studies abroad, as the missions of the receiving countries give the visas.

Way Forward

While the portal is a commendable initiative, its reach and awareness remain limited among students and parents. Educational consultancies, student visa officers, and academic institutions can play a major role in spreading awareness. It could also be integrated into the visa application process, thereby encouraging more students to sign up.

Conclusion

The Ministry of External Affairs’ Students Registration Portal is a proactive and safeguarding instrument demonstrating the Indian government’s dedication to the well-being of its nationals living overseas. This portal provides not only a means of communication but also a lifeline in times of need for students embarking on international academic adventures.

Being ready is crucial in a world where global uncertainties are increasing. To ensure that the country’s support follows them wherever they go, all Indian students traveling overseas are strongly encouraged to register on the portal. The portal is a good initiative from the Ministry of External Affairs to bring together all the information regarding students studying abroad under a common platform, which ensures the safety and needs of students. While the portal had been useful throughout emergencies, it still lacks awareness among the student population abroad, which needs immediate attention from the authorities for a more popularity and effective step towards more inclusivity and connectivity of the Ministry among the students.