Tej Pandya, founder of Groweasy.ai, voices a frustration felt by many young Indians: After building Silicon Valley and constituting over a third of all international STEM graduates in the U.S., Indian students are now finding America less welcoming. His message, pointed and direct, reflects a growing anxiety—first tariff and now restrictive visa policies have made it clear the “ladder” to long-term U.S. opportunities isn’t what it once was.
Visa, Tariff and Policy Shifts
Until recently, the path was normalized: Indians would study STEM subjects in the U.S., leverage up to 4 years of OPT work (Optional Practical Training), and transition to H1B or permanent residency. But 2025 has brought new realities—bills in the U.S. Congress now threaten to eliminate OPT for international students, and new rules have narrowed the grace period for finding a job sponsor after graduation from 60 to 30 days. Even before this, rising visa fees, elaborate background checks, and delays had sharply dropped Indian student visas and made the post-study pathway extremely uncertain.
Currently, more than 300,000 Indian students in the U.S. rely on the OPT program—one-third of all international OPT participants. The loss or curtailment of this visa means that most must leave soon after completing studies unless they win the unpredictable H-1B lottery, which has a restricted yearly quota. Policy observers and students are already seeing many reconsider the U.S. as a long-term option, and some embassies now report longer processing times and frequently cancelled appointments.
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The Scale of India’s Brain Drain
Pandya’s statement isn’t just personal—it echoes a macro trend. Over 1.3 million Indian students are currently enrolled abroad, with the U.S. formerly taking the lion’s share. Now, with the American “ladder” pulled away, Indian students are finding new destinations: Australia has recently overtaken the U.S. as the preferred choice for outbound Indian students, accounting for 28% of first-choice preferences versus 22% for the U.S. and 13% for Canada in early 2025. Australia and Canada, both offering generous post-study work options and friendlier immigration policies, are welcoming Indian talent that America is making harder to retain.
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But the “brain drain, their brain gain” equation still hurts India. Research notes substantial Indian contributions to host economies through tuition, living costs, and skills—benefits that often remain abroad when students don’t return. Indian students abroad have historically driven innovation, founded startups, and become leading professionals outside the country. While many come back with valuable global skills and networks, too many find better opportunities elsewhere, leaving India to grapple with this talent gap.
Why Does India Still Lose Top Talent?
Pandya’s question—“Why does India keep losing its best talent while the world plays politics with us?”—speaks directly to the root causes:
- Quality and Accessibility: Many Indian students leave due to limitations in domestic higher education quality, infrastructure, and research opportunities.
- Career Prospects: U.S. and other foreign degrees historically offered superior job prospects at home and abroad, even as local options improved.
- Systemic Issues: Reservation policies, bureaucratic hurdles, and a perception of fewer merit-based roles have pushed students to seek academic freedom and advancement overseas.
Despite government efforts and India’s rapid tech sector growth, outbound numbers keep climbing. The relentless pursuit of excellence abroad is not just herd mentality—it’s driven by real gaps in local opportunities and incentives.
Can India Change the Narrative?
There’s optimism: Efforts to improve local university standards, nurture entrepreneurship, and foster research links are underway. Return migration, or “reverse brain drain,” is a growing phenomenon, with Indian graduates launching startups and academic collaborations upon coming home. India’s startup boom could eventually anchor more talent locally, if enough opportunity and recognition is given.
Final Thoughts
Tej Pandya’s reflections capture the uncertainty and hope of an entire generation. As U.S. policy tightens and alternative destinations rise, India must ask: What will make its best and brightest stay, or at least ensure they return? Building world-class opportunities at home is no longer just a wish—it’s essential for the country’s next leap in global influence and innovation.
