The number of Indian students choosing to study abroad has steadily increased since 2017, barring the pandemic-triggered slump. Karnataka, however, has been sending fewer students compared to other southern states, according to government data.

In 2019, 29,314 students from Karnataka flew out as against 69,465 from Andhra Pradesh, 41,488 fromTamil Naduand 30,948 from Kerala. This year (till February 28), around 4,176 students have gone abroad from Karnataka, 11,790 from Andhra and 5,040 from Kerala.

Though Karnataka has been observing a rise in the number of students enrolling in foreign universities and colleges, it has not been able to catch up with its neighbours. The figures are based on passports issued in each state.

According to the Bureau of Immigrations data, the number of Indian students who went abroad increased from 3,71,506 in 2016 to 5,88,931 in 2019. It fell to 2,61,406 in 2020 because of Covid-19.