State Board Students Lead India’s Study Abroad Rush, Outnumber CBSE Aspirants: Report

Students from state boards are emerging as the largest group among Indians aspiring to pursue education abroad, accounting for 56 per cent of aspirants compared with 40 per cent from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), according to the Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2026 by edtech company UpGrad.

The report points to a changing profile of Indian students considering overseas education. A growing number of state board students, including first-generation applicants, are looking at international degrees for better career and economic opportunities.

The findings are based on data from 53,800 aspirants counselled between January 2025 and June 2026. Of these, 65.8 per cent were freshers, while nearly 60 per cent came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Better Jobs Emerge As Top Reason To Study Abroad

Career opportunities emerged as the biggest factor driving students towards overseas education. According to the report, 49 per cent of aspirants cited better job opportunities as their primary reason for considering studies abroad.

Quality of education was the second most important factor at 24 per cent, followed by permanent residency opportunities at 15 per cent and a better lifestyle at 11 per cent.

The findings suggest that students are increasingly looking at overseas education through the lens of employment, return on investment and long-term career prospects, rather than choosing a country or institution based only on reputation.

Germany Becomes Preferred Study Abroad Destination

Germany emerged as the most preferred destination among aspirants in 2026, with 48 per cent choosing the country. The US followed with 20 per cent.

The report also noted a sharp rise in interest in Germany, with preference for the country nearly doubling since 2023. Other European destinations, including Finland, Spain and France, are also attracting students because of factors such as affordability, industry connections and employment-linked opportunities.

The report attributed the growing interest in European countries partly to rising costs and stricter immigration policies in traditional destinations such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Most Students Plan To Spend Less Than Rs 30 Lakh

Affordability continues to play an important role in students’ study abroad decisions. Seven in 10 aspirants said they planned to spend less than Rs 30 lakh on overseas education.

The report also recorded increased interest in the Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh budget segment between 2024 and 2026. The rise in demand from students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities was also highlighted.

AI Influencing Course Choices

Artificial intelligence is also influencing the programmes students are considering abroad. AI, data science, analytics and machine learning were among the fastest-growing programme areas across partner universities, according to the report.

The trend comes amid increasing demand for AI-related skills across sectors, with students increasingly considering programmes based on their potential career and employment outcomes.

Praneet Singh, Vice President, University Partnerships, UpGrad Study Abroad, said Indian students are increasingly prioritising employability, career outcomes and affordability while choosing overseas education. He added that the growing interest in Europe reflects the demand for destinations that combine quality education with stronger employment opportunities.