Despite a public advisory issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in April 2022, advising Indian students against pursuing higher education in Pakistan, at least 837 Indian students enrolled in Pakistani institutions between 2022 and 2024. The advisory explicitly stated that Indian nationals or Overseas Citizens of India who seek admission to Pakistani degree colleges or educational institutions would not be eligible for employment or higher studies in India based on qualifications acquired in Pakistan.
The UGC and AICTE issued the advisory to safeguard the interests of Indian students, particularly in light of challenges faced by students who studied in Ukraine and China. UGC Chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar stated that the notice was prompted by instances where students encountered difficulties returning to foreign countries to continue their studies. AICTE Chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe added that the advisory aimed to guide students toward institutions and countries that offer degrees with parity to Indian regulations.
The advisory did include an exception for migrants and their children who have been granted Indian citizenship after acquiring higher education degrees in Pakistan. These individuals are eligible for employment in India after obtaining security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Data presented in Parliament in December 2024 revealed that 1,968 Indian students had enrolled in Pakistani institutions between 2019-20 and 2023-24. This averages to nearly 400 new admissions each year. In comparison, only about 26 Pakistani students were reported to be residing in India for educational purposes during the same period. This disparity has led to questions regarding the reasons behind Pakistan's appeal to Indian students and the specific courses they are pursuing. One suggestion is that Indian students who fail to secure seats in India sometimes look for opportunities elsewhere in Asia, with Pakistan being an affordable option. A former UGC official noted the curriculum for professional courses in Pakistan is quite similar to India's, further explaining the interest. Many Indian students who go to Pakistan for education come from Jammu and Kashmir. In 2020, over 200 students from India crossed the border to appear for final year exams in Pakistan.
The decision to discourage Indian students from studying in Pakistan wasn't without its critics. Some individuals expressed surprise that Indian students would choose to study in Pakistan.
The Indian government is also considering measures concerning medical degrees specifically, with a proposal to not recognize Pakistani medical degrees for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). This exam is required for students with medical qualifications from outside India to practice medicine in India.
