India's Rupee Hits New Record Low, Exacerbating Overhead Costs for Overseas Education Programs

Indian Rupee Slides to 92-Per-Dollar Mark, Impacting Overseas Education

The Indian rupee has depreciated to 92.10 against the US dollar, with a 0.55% decline, as the US-Israel-Iran conflict enters its fifth day. This depreciation has significant implications for Indian families planning to send their children abroad for education, particularly in the Middle East.

Impact on Overseas Education

The depreciation of the rupee has a direct impact on the cost of overseas education for Indian students. According to Pavan Kavad, Managing Director of Prithvi Exchange, every rupee decline increases the overall cost of overseas education in rupee terms. The heightened volatility in currency exchange rates makes financial planning more difficult for families who remit funds to their children abroad.

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Shift in Focus to Mainland Europe

The conflict in the Middle East has led to a decline in summer admissions in Dubai and other Middle Eastern nations, with students opting for destinations in mainland Europe instead. Ankit Mehra, CEO of Gyandhan, notes that the industry witnessed a surge in students considering the Middle East for overseas education last year, but the current conflict has led to a shift in focus towards mainland Europe.

Impact on Education Loan Volumes

The conflict in the Middle East is expected to impact education loan volumes, with Gyandhan's data indicating a decline in loan volumes for the US and Canada. However, Mehra believes that the shift in focus towards mainland European countries may not significantly impact education loan volumes, with lenders expected to see a flattish performance.

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Key Statistics

• 9 lakh students go abroad for studies worldwide.
• 6 lakh to 7 lakh students are expected to go abroad for studies this fiscal year.
• 2 lakh to 3 lakh students typically opt for studies in the Middle East per year.
• Germany led with a 90% surge in education loan volume for 2025, followed by the UK at 88%, Australia at 80%, Ireland at 68%, and Italy at 30%.
• The US and Canada saw a 45% and 34% drop in education loan volumes respectively.