India and France are committed to strengthen their ties in the sphere of education by fostering academic knowledge sharing, and exchanges of students and faculties. This is reflected in the joint statement issued during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris in July 2023 that mentions desire of the French government to welcome 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and raise this to 30,000 by 2030. The number of Indian students studying in France in various fields has increased over the years. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 Indian students in France at present. 

2. In 2023, in order to create a community of Indian alumni, France launched 5-year validity Schengen visas for Indians who have studied in France for at least one semester at Master’s level at a university recognized by the French system.  The scheme has been activated now. 

3. In September 2024, the French government has started international classes in about 35 French universities and schools. Usually spread over two semesters, the program allows non-French speaker students to reach B2 level of French. There is no entrance exam to qualify for admission in such schools. After successful completion of the international classes, direct admission into a French-taught undergraduate program will be provided. 

4. In 2025, the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) under India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA signed in 2018) has been operationalised. It is a reciprocal scheme to facilitate two-way mobility of youth and professionals in both countries aged between 18-35 years who are entering into working life, or if already employed, wishing to improve their career prospects through salaried work in each other’s country. An annual quota of 500 students is planned under this arrangement. Students who are accepted under this scheme receive temporary worker visa for initial 12 months. If the stay is extended, they will receive a long-term stay visa valid for a maximum of 24 months. Beyond this period, they can continue to stay and work provided they obtain an employment contract. The nodal point on Indian side is the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and on the French side is French Office of Immigration & Integration (OFII). This would open up new opportunities for the youth of the two countries.

5. Several Indian and French higher educational institutions have signed cooperation agreements with each other. There is also a vibrant student exchange programme between IIMs and institutions in France like ESCP, ESSEC and HEC where a large number of Indian students come for exchange programmes every year.

6. Besides higher education, both India and France also have vibrant school exchange programmes in order to facilitate contact between French and Indian schools. So far schools from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, NOIDA, Pune, Ajmer, Jaipur, Chennai, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Puducherry and other places have been able to establish contacts with French schools.

7. An agreement on the mutual recognition of degrees was signed between the two sides in 2018 to facilitate the pursuit of higher education by Indian students in France and French students in India, and increase their employability.

8. Some of the new collaborations include a new joint venture that has been started in 2023 between Le Cordon Bleu, a world-renowned culinary institution providing education in the culinary arts, and India’s GD Goenka University.  In October 2024, Ecole Polytechnique has entered into agreements with IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay to foster student exchange between the two countries.

 July 2025