By How Much Do Indian Men Outpace Women in US Higher Education? Check SEVIS Report

When it comes to studying in the United States, Indian male students are enrolling more than female scholars, with a gender ratio of 2:1, as per the recent reports of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) under the US Department of Homeland Security. The recent SEVIS report, which reflects on last year's visa requirements for students from India, was released in June 2025.

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By How Much Do Indian Men Outpace Women?

Over the past five years, the representation of female Indian students in the US has remained low. India has also been ranked as the second-worst globally in terms of gender balance, and it has slipped to the bottom in 2023. During this entire period, women have accounted for less than 40% of Indian enrolments, with the percentage slowly increasing from 35% to 38%.

This imbalance makes India stand much closer to countries like Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh in terms of gender disparity, well behind more balanced nations such as China and Brazil. 

India Becomes Top Source of International Students

Despite the gender disparity, Indian students now lead the world in numbers. In 2023, India officially overtook China to become the top source of international students in the US. According to SEVIS records, 4,22,335 Indian students were in the US on F1 and M1 visas last year, F1 for academic programmes and M1 for vocational training.

Visa Cancellations and Study Decline Back Home

Interestingly, the spike in Indian students coincides with policy changes and visa disruptions. Over 4,700 F1 visas were reportedly cancelled within just five months, and India’s Bureau of Immigration recorded that 1.33 lakh fewer Indians went abroad to study last year, indicating increased scrutiny and evolving visa policies under former US President Donald Trump.

Where are Indian Students Enrolling?

Among all international students, master’s programmes remain the most popular in the US, followed by bachelor’s and doctoral (PhD) programmes. Hence, known for its academic rigour and industry connections, the US attracts most of the Indian scholars.

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Conclusion

So, the above data paints a clear picture: Indian men outpace women by nearly 75% when it comes to studying and working in the US. While India leads globally in student numbers, the gender gap is a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by aspiring female students.