Study in India 2026: Academic Life and First Term

India has 475 universities, including institutions such as Ashoka University and Lovely Professional University. For international students, the first term is usually about settling into routines, housing, and the language used in class and daily life.

Cost of living → Working & jobs →

The academic year and campus routines vary by institution, so students usually need to check each university’s calendar and course structure before arriving. With 475 universities in the country, there are many choices across different fields, including universities such as University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, NorthCap University, and University of Health Sciences Andhra Pradesh.

Housing is something to plan early. Newly arrived international students often start by looking at what their university offers and then moving into accommodation that fits their term schedule and budget.

English is commonly used in higher education, but daily life can involve many other languages. Students should expect to hear and use local languages outside class, especially when dealing with housing, transport, and everyday tasks.

India’s cost level was 28% of the US level in 2023, which is useful background for planning a move. The country’s GDP per capita PPP was 7,819 USD, and that gives a rough sense of the wider economic setting students will be living in during 2026.