The number of students from Gujarat heading abroad for higher education has dropped sharply, with certificate verification applications at Gujarat University falling by around 40% in the past year.
According to official data, 18,237 students applied for mark sheet, degree, and transcript verification between April 2023 and March 2024. The figure plunged to 11,071 between April 2024 and March 2025. From April to August 2025, only 4,066 applications were received.
In comparison, the university had processed 14,864 applications in 2022–23, showing steady growth until last year’s sudden decline. Officials attribute the fall mainly to stricter visa rules in the US and Canada, which have reduced the number of students applying to popular destinations such as the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada.
While these figures represent only Gujarat University—the state’s oldest and largest institution—experts believe similar trends are likely across Gujarat Technological University and other state universities.