Known in history books as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, India is a country located in South Asia. It is now the world’s most populous nation. Its capital is New Delhi. United Nations-based estimates place India’s 2026 mid-year population at about 1.48 billion. The country has also been known for its mystery and diversity.
For Union government purposes, Hindi in Devanagari script and English are used as official languages. Other languages such as Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and many more are widely spoken across the country. There are also many English speakers in India. In addition, Tamil, one of the world’s oldest living classical languages, is officially used in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The country’s largest religion is Hinduism, and India is also home to large communities of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and people of other faiths.
When it comes to tourist destinations, there are lots to choose from in India. A few of these include the Taj Mahal, the Holy City of Varanasi, the Red Fort, Mecca Masjid, and Calangute Beach. Then, once your trip to these impressive landmarks is finished, it is time to try Indian dishes like chicken makhani, also known as butter chicken, samosa, naan, matar paneer, and jalebi.
International student enrollment in India has been growing again in recent years. According to AISHE 2023–24, 58,134 foreign nationals and foreign students from 173 countries were enrolled in Indian higher education institutions. Additionally, the majority of these foreign students were male. In this article, we will be looking at the best cities in India for international students!
Top Cities to Study in India for International Students
1. Kanpur
Kanpur is a sizeable city and an excellent city for international students in northern India. It is part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and has a long history as one of North India’s major industrial centers. Additionally, it is often nicknamed the “Leather City of the World” because of its long-standing leather industry. At the 2011 Census, Kanpur city had a population of about 2,765,348.
On top of that, it is considered a major commercial and industrial center of North India, which is why it is a great choice for international students. Some of the most well-known institutions for higher education in the city include the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Axis Colleges, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, which was formerly known as Kanpur University.
The Indian Institutes of Technology are a network of public technical institutions with campuses across India. As mentioned above, IIT Kanpur is part of this network. The institution is renowned in academic areas that include engineering, sciences, humanities and social sciences, economics, and management.
2. Mumbai
The city of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of Maharashtra state. Moreover, it is situated in western India. Mumbai is a top city in India for international students and one of the country’s largest financial and commercial hubs. Aside from this, it is also a top tourist spot because of its breathtaking landmarks such as the Gateway of India, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Red Carpet Wax Museum, Haji Ali Dargah, and Elephanta Caves.
As for universities and colleges, students have many to choose from, such as the University of Mumbai, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the Institute of Chemical Technology, Kishinchand Chellaram College, and Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University.
Speaking of which, Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University is the first women’s university in India and Southeast Asia. Its Mumbai presence includes the Churchgate and Juhu campuses, and the university also lists Pune, Shrivardhan, and Chandrapur campuses.
3. New Delhi
India’s national capital, New Delhi, is in the country’s northern region and among the best cities in India for international students who wish to study in the country. The bustling and vibrant city has a rich historical background, and the most famed attractions in the city include the Qutub Minar, Lodi Gardens, the Lotus Temple, and a lot more. Other than this, visitors also come to New Delhi for its ancient monuments and shopping complexes.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, University of Delhi, International Management Institute New Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and National Institute of Fashion Technology are some of the city’s prominent institutes for tertiary education.
Moving on, New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology opened its doors to students in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Since then, it has been recognized as one of India’s leading fashion education institutions. The institute has an extensive list of noteworthy alumni, including reputable fashion designers Ritu Beri, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Manish Arora.
4. Chennai
Chennai is in southern India, and it is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The metropolitan city used to be named Madras. It is also referred to as the “Gateway to South India.” According to the 2011 Census, the Chennai urban agglomeration had a population of about 8,653,521. For tourists who want to do some sightseeing, Chennai is definitely a solid option for international students in India. A few of the most famous places to visit are Marina Beach, Valluvar Kottam, Thousand Lights Mosque, Guindy National Park, and Kapaleeswarar Temple.
Adding to that, Chennai has several distinguished universities for prospective international students, such as the University of Madras, Madras Medical College, Anna University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research.
One of the first three modern universities established in India is the University of Madras. It was founded in 1857. Currently, the center of learning is organized into 18 schools and has a large network of affiliated colleges and approved research institutions.
5. Pune
Situated in western India’s Maharashtra state, Pune is a city that is often called the “Oxford of the East.” This is because it is popular among international students in India for its educational institutions focused on arts, sciences, technology, and more. According to the 2011 Census, Pune’s urban agglomeration had about 5,057,709 residents.
Some of Pune’s notable higher education institutions include Savitribai Phule Pune University, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Symbiosis International University, Modern College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, and Maharashtra Institute of Technology. In line with this, Savitribai Phule Pune University is a leading tertiary education institution that is listed in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2026.
We hope this article on the best cities in India for international students was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
