India is booming. The country’s economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, and its top business schools are steadily rising in global rankings. Yet international students remain a rarity across India’s higher education system — and especially in its business schools.A new report from education consultancy CarringtonCrisp explores why. The International India study, based on responses from 4,160 prospective business students across 22 countries, found that while 79% of respondents are open to studying abroad, only 8% consider India a likely study destination. That low interest persists despite strong perceptions of India’s economy, visa accessibility, and welcoming environment.“Despite the rapid growth of the Indian economy and the increasing prominence of its business schools, international students are rare, especially compared to the traditional education powerhouses of Europe, Australia, and North America,” says Andrew Crisp, the study’s author and co-founder of CarringtonCrisp. “The major issue is a lack of brand awareness, as well as an understanding of the advantages and benefits of studying in India.”INTERNATIONAL ENROLLMENT LAGSThe study underscores just how far India trails its global peers in attracting international talent. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), only 46,000 international students were enrolled across nearly 2,400 Indian institutions in the 2021-22 academic year — and more than a quarter of them came from neighboring Nepal.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBy contrast, the United Kingdom hosted more than 750,000 international students in 2022-23, Australia reported over 450,000 in 2023, and the United States reached a record high of more than 1.1 million in 2024.Recognizing the opportunity gap, the Indian government has taken steps to increase international enrollments. Institutions have been encouraged to admit up to 25% more students above their allotted domestic capacity, with those extra seats reserved specifically for international students. But converting that potential into growth requires understanding how India is perceived by prospective students around the world — and that insight formed the foundation of CarringtonCrisp’s first International India report.AWARENESS GAP PERSISTS—BUT SO DOES INTERESTThe report found that one of the biggest barriers remains awareness: a full third of respondents said they couldn’t name a single good Indian business school. Others cited concerns such as a preference for other countries (21%), lack of scholarships (19%), or discomfort with the idea of living in India while studying (17%).Still, the survey also revealed strengths Indian schools can build on. India was viewed as second only to the U.S. in terms of having a strong and dynamic economy (50% vs. 52%). It was also rated the most welcoming destination for international students (57%) and the easiest country in which to obtain a student visa (56%).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCost and geography also work in India’s favor. Nearly half (45%) of respondents said India offers excellent value for a business degree, while 41% said travel to India would be affordable and convenient due to its proximity. Interest was highest among students in Nigeria (18%), the UAE (15%), and South Africa (15%).SHORT-TERM & JOINT PROGRAMS COULD OPEN THE DOORWhile long-term full-degree enrollment may be limited for now, international students expressed strong enthusiasm for shorter-term or hybrid engagements with Indian institutions.More than eight in ten respondents said they would be very or extremely interested in a joint degree between an Indian business school and one in their home country. Nearly as many said they would be drawn to studying a single module — up to three months — in India. Other attractive options included taking multiple short, intensive courses in India or pursuing a joint degree involving an Indian school and a partner institution in a third country.“Building partnerships with institutions in other countries is a big opportunity for Indian business schools,” Crisp says. “These programs can help schools build brand awareness, communicate the benefits of studying in India, and showcase the quality of their academic offerings.”A GROWING PUSH TO GLOBALIZEIndia’s top business schools have taken steps to increase their global reach. IIM Ahmedabad recently opened its first international campus in Dubai. The Indian School of Business (ISB) has expanded its collaborations with leading U.S. and European universities. And more Indian schools are pursuing international accreditations and climbing into global rankings, including those published by The Financial Times and Poets&Quants.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut those efforts are still nascent when compared with more established global destinations. As the International India report makes clear, building international appeal will take time, consistency — and creative partnerships.Still, the data suggests there is growing interest, especially in models that allow students to “sample” Indian education before committing to a full degree. The challenge for Indian schools will be converting that curiosity into enrollment.“India has a strong story to tell,” Crisp says. “Now it needs to be heard.”Read the full CarringtonCrisp report here.The post Why Aren’t More International Students Choosing India’s Booming B-Schools? appeared first on Poets&Quants.