The Indian government reported a 6.9% decline in the number of Indian students studying in the United States, with figures falling from 378,787 in February 2025 to 352,644 in February 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attributed this drop to heightened scrutiny and compliance requirements imposed by the US administration, which has introduced new guidelines for student visa applicants. These guidelines include extensive vetting, including checks on applicants' online presence and social media activity. The US government has emphasized that obtaining a visa is a privilege, warning that violations could lead to visa revocation and deportation. Furthermore, F-1 visa issuances to Indian students saw a significant 69% decrease during June-July 2025 compared to the previous year, with numbers dropping from 72,027 in 2023 to 41,336 in 2024. Despite recognizing the US's sovereign right to set visa policies, Singh noted that the Indian government is actively addressing these concerns with American authorities to facilitate secure student mobility.