The authoritarian & divisive policies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi & his Hindutva driven government are increasingly affecting India’s global image, with Canadian authorities tightening restrictions on Indian students as a direct consequence.
Once a top destination for higher education, Canada has become far less welcoming to Indian applicants, reflecting growing international concern over governance, social unrest & the lack of transparency under Modi’s rule.
Government data shows that in August 2025, about 74% of Indian study permit applications were rejected more than double the 32% rejection rate in August 2023.
Overall rejections for all applicants remained around 40% & just 24% of Chinese applications were refused.
The number of Indian applicants has also dropped sharply, from 20,900 in August 2023 to 4,515 in August 2025. India has historically been Canada’s largest source of international students, highlighting the unprecedented impact of these restrictions.
The spike in refusals coincides with efforts to mend Canada-India relations following accusations by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking India to the 2023 murder of a Canadian citizen in Surrey, allegations that India has denied.
Beyond concerns of fraud, critics argue that Canada’s stricter visa scrutiny reflects unease over Modi’s Hindutva policies, which marginalise minorities, foster intolerance & create instability that extends beyond India’s borders.
Fraud prevention remains a stated concern: in 2023, Canadian authorities uncovered nearly 1,550 study permit applications linked to fraudulent acceptance letters, most originating from India.
Last year, enhanced verification flagged over 14,000 potentially fake letters. The Canadian government has also increased financial documentation requirements, making it more difficult for Indian students to meet eligibility criteria.
Universities across Canada have begun to feel the impact. The University of Waterloo, home to the country’s largest engineering program, reports a two-thirds decline in Indian student enrollment over the past 3 to 4 years, while the Universities of Regina & Saskatchewan report similar drops.
Students & advisors note that the stricter scrutiny, combined with India’s increasingly repressive political climate under Modi, is forcing students to reconsider studying abroad & tarnishing India’s reputation as a source of high quality talent.
The Indian embassy in Ottawa, while acknowledging the rising rejections, reiterated that study permits remain Canada’s prerogative. It also highlighted the historical contributions of Indian students to Canadian institutions, emphasising their academic excellence despite the barriers now imposed.
