Russia accounts for over 57% of Indian students' racial discrimination complaints: MEA

The issue has gained urgency following the Ufa knife attack, reinforcing concerns over the safety and treatment of Indian students in Russia.

• Over half of Indian student exploitation complaints are linked to Russia.
• Complaints in Russia surged from 68 in 2023 to 201 in 2025
• Indian students increasingly choose Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan over Russia

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As a knife attack in Russia’s Ufa city injured four Indian students, official data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shows that Russia accounts for more than half of all complaints of exploitation and racial discrimination reported by Indian students worldwide.

According to MEA data cited by The Times of India, Indian students across 196 countries filed around 350 complaints in 2025 related to exploitation, harassment and racial abuse. More than 200 complaints came from Russia alone, making it the biggest hotspot globally.

The data points to a steep rise over three years -- 68 complaints in 2023, 78 in 2024, and a sharp surge to 201 in 2025.

Russia remains a preferred destination for Indian medical students due to lower fees and easier admissions, with students mainly from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, growing complaints have raised serious safety concerns.

Indian students cited in the report state that incidents of racial discrimination, intimidation and mental harassment are common, with many cases going unreported due to fear of expulsion, visa issues or retaliation.

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) associations have alleged racial profiling, lack of institutional support and violations of intake norms, claiming some Russian universities admit far more foreign students than permitted and later expel them, even in the final year.

Amid the deteriorating situation, FMGs say Indian students are increasingly opting for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with interest in Russia dropping sharply, especially since the Russia–Ukraine war began.

Responding to a Lok Sabha query, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said Indian missions abroad have dedicated officers for student welfare and maintain regular contact with Indian students.

The issue has gained urgency following the Ufa knife attack, reinforcing concerns over the safety and treatment of Indian students in Russia.