As Ukraine war grinds on, Georgia new hub for Indian medical students, Pg1.

Key Highlights:

• Georgia is emerging as a popular destination for Indian medical students as the Ukraine war continues.
• Indian spending on education in Georgia surged to $50.25 million in 2024-25, a five-fold increase from $10.33 million in 2018-19.
• Remittances to Ukraine for education have decreased from $14.80 million in 2018-19 to $2.40 million in 2024-25.
• Russia has also seen a rise in Indian spending on education, reaching $69.94 million in 2024-25.

Detailed Insights:

• The increase in Indian students going to Georgia is attributed to the ongoing war in Ukraine, making Georgia a safer alternative for medical education.
• In 2022-23, Georgia entered the top 15 countries for Indian remittances for education, rising from 21st position in 2018-19 to 14th.
• The number of Indian students going to Georgia for study/education increased from 4,148 in 2019 to 10,470 in 2023.
• While overall Indian remittances for education fell in 2024-25, Georgia recorded a 19% increase over the previous year’s $42.38 million.
• Russia's rank among destinations for Indian students has improved from 23rd in 2018-19 to 11th in 2024-25.
• Top destinations for Indian students pursuing higher education include Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Germany.
• The USA, the top country for Indian spending on education, saw a 10% drop in remittances for education in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Remittances: Money sent by a migrant worker back to their family in their home country.
• Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): A scheme by the Reserve Bank of India that allows Indian residents to remit funds abroad.