Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Indian Student Associations abroad. It clarifies the Government of India's engagement, support, and collaboration with these associations without formal recognition or sustained financial assistance. The goal is to outline the Ministry of Education's efforts to connect with and support Indian students studying abroad through various initiatives and outreach programs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Recognition and Interaction:
* The Government of India does not formally recognize Indian Student Associations abroad.
* Indian Embassies/Consulates interact and engage with these associations to connect with Indian students.
Financial Assistance:
* The Government supports and collaborates with Indian Student Associations to promote Indian culture and student welfare.
* There is no specific, sustained financial assistance provided to these associations.
Collaboration and Outreach:
* Indian Student Associations are crucial for student outreach.
* Embassies/Consulates maintain regular contact with Indian students and associations, starting upon enrollment.
* Welcome Ceremonies and Orientation Programmes are organized to brief students on potential challenges.
* Embassy/Consulate officials visit universities to interact with students and associations.
* Students are encouraged to register on relevant government portals.
* Indian Students Associations are increasingly partners in engaging with Indian students abroad.
Impact Analysis:
Indian Students Associations:
* Impact: Associations are recognized as crucial partners in student outreach and welfare efforts but will not receive formal recognition or sustained financial aid.
* Action Required: Continue collaborating with Indian Embassies/Consulates, participate in outreach programs, and support the welfare of Indian students.
Indian Students Abroad:
* Impact: Students will benefit from ongoing support, orientation programs, and engagement opportunities provided by Indian missions and student associations.
* Action Required: Engage with Indian Embassies/Consulates, register on government portals, and participate in Welcome Ceremonies and Orientation Programmes.
Indian Embassies/Consulates:
* Impact: They are responsible for maintaining contact with Indian students and associations, organizing events, and promoting student welfare.
* Action Required: Continue engaging with students and associations, organizing outreach programs, and providing support for Indian students abroad.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: A department of the Government of India responsible for education.
Department of Higher Education: A department within the Ministry of Education, focusing on higher education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Indian Students Associations: Organizations of Indian students located in foreign countries.
EmbassiesConsulates: Representations of the Government of India in foreign countries that interact with Indian Students Associations.
DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who answered the question.
Indian MissionsPosts: Indian Embassies and Consulates abroad.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 61
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Assistance to Indian Students Association Abroad
61. Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the list of Indian Student Associations in foreign countries that are recognized by the
Government of India, country-wise;
(b) the details of financial assistance provided by the Government to such Associations at abroad
during the last five years and the current year, country-wise;
(c) whether the Government has undertaken any initiative to increase collaboration with these
Associations for welfare of Indian students who are studying in foreign countries; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a): Numerous Indian Students Associations exist and operate in different countries across the
world. Government of India through its Embassies/Consulates abroad interacts and engages with
these Indian Students Associations for connecting with the Indian Students studying in
educational institutions in their countries of accreditation. However, Government of India does
not accord any formal recognition to these Indian Students Associations.
(b): Government of India, through its Embassies/Consulates abroad, regularly support and
collaborates with Indian Students Associations abroad for promoting Indian cultural traditions and
students’ welfare measures in foreign countries. However, there is no specific financial assistance
that is provided on a sustained basis to such Indian Students Associations abroad.
(c) and (d): The Indian Students Associations constitute crucial pillars of the student outreach
endeavours and initiatives conducted by the Government of India. Indian Embassies and
Consulates abroad maintain regular contacts with Indian students and their Associations enrolled
in foreign Universities. This commences as soon as new Indian students are enrolled in foreign
Universities. They are invited to participate in Welcome Ceremonies organized by Indian
Embassies and Consulates. Indian Missions/Posts also organize Orientation Programmes when
Heads of Indian Missions/Posts brief the Indian students on challenges and threats, if any, that
they may confront during their stay in the foreign lands and how to take preventive measures.
Heads of Indian Missions/Posts and other senior Embassy/Consulate officials also visit foreign
Universities and Educational Institutions in their respective countries of accreditation to regularlyinteract with Indian students and Indian Students Associations. During these visits and events,
Indian Embassy/Consulate representatives invite Indian students to register on the relevant
Government of India portals besides discussing measures to promote welfare of Indian students
with the respective University authorities. Indian Students Associations abroad are increasingly
playing a partner role in the efforts of this Ministry to engage with Indian students studying
abroad.
*****