- The ministry is now considering changes to the existing portal or the launch of a separate platform designed specifically for Indians travelling abroad for higher education and employment.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched an awareness campaign encouraging Indian students studying overseas to register with Indian embassies and high commissions. The initiative aims to create an updated database of Indian students abroad to improve emergency response and coordination during crises, conflicts, and evacuation situations.
The move follows recent international crises, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions involving Iran, where several Indian students approached Indian missions for urgent assistance. Officials believe that maintaining accurate student records will help authorities provide faster support during emergencies.
Why MEA Is Encouraging Student Registration
India has more than one million students studying in foreign countries, but the government does not currently maintain a complete and updated database of them. Most available figures come from visa records and embassy estimates.
To address this issue, the MEA has asked students to voluntarily register with Indian embassies and consulates. Officials stated that the information would help authorities contact students quickly during situations such as wars, political disturbances, natural disasters, or evacuation operations.
Earlier, in 2015, Ministry of External Affairs introduced the MADAD portal for grievance support and overseas student registration. However, the platform saw limited participation, with nearly 41,000 students registering so far.
The ministry is now considering changes to the existing portal or the launch of a separate platform designed specifically for Indians travelling abroad for higher education and employment.
Challenges During Recent Evacuation Operations
Officials said Indian missions faced difficulties during recent evacuation exercises because many students had not registered with embassies. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several students contacted Indian authorities for emergency rescue support.
Indian missions later issued similar advisories in countries including Iran, Israel, and Canada, asking Indian nationals to register themselves with embassies.
According to the MEA, maintaining accurate student data can strengthen emergency planning and improve coordination during crisis situations. Registration can also help embassies assist students with local laws, visa regulations, documentation issues, and cultural guidance.
Focus On Major Study Destinations
The awareness campaign mainly targets countries with large Indian student populations, including the United States, Canada, Germany, China, and Malaysia.
At the same time, the ministry is also focusing on emerging education destinations such as Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, where many Indian medical students are pursuing affordable higher education.
