Hyderabad: Enrolment of Indian students in US universities plummeted by nearly 75% in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second White House stint, with visa rejections and hesitancy among aspirants to apply to the top 40 institutes contributing to the dip.

Data from overseas education consultancies suggest the Aug-Oct Fall intake – which accounts for around 70% of students – took the hardest hit last year. Visa interview slots were scarce, forcing many to shelve plans, with only those who completed applications by Feb or March able to proceed.

“This was the first time in decades that we saw such a sharp drop,” said Arvind Manduva of i20 Fever, a Hyderabad-based consultancy. “Increased scrutiny drove up the visa rejection rate. That, coupled with limited slots, made students wary.” Students who deferred admissions to the Spring session (Jan-March) hoping the dust would settle were disappointed as slots remained limited and scrutiny extended to social media activity. For students already in the US, the year since Trump’s return was even harsher. Data from the US department of state shows around 8,000 student visas were revoked up to Dec 2025.What unsettled many was how quickly things unfolded. Indian students began receiving emails from designated school officials (DSOs) last April informing them that their F-1 visa status had been revoked and they would need to leave within weeks. In several cases, revocations were linked to criminal charges dating back months or longer, even after dismissal or resolution. “I got a ticket for overspeeding in 2024, but no charges were filed. Yet, my SEVIS clearance was revoked. I contacted a lawyer and submitted paperwork, after which it was reinstated,” said a 25-year-old with a master’s in project management from Boston.Full report on www.toi.in>

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