A recent plea has been submitted in the Delhi High Court, calling upon the Ministry of External Affairs to introduce guidelines aimed at protecting the rights and interests of Indian students pursuing education overseas. The plea emphasizes the current dearth of legal safeguards for these students, which makes them susceptible to various forms of misconduct such as fraud and exploitation orchestrated by unscrupulous educational agents and foreign schools.
The plea, brought forward by NGO Legal Pravasi Bhartiya, asserts that the prevailing legal framework under the Emigration Act of 1983 primarily focuses on employment-related matters and lacks specific provisions to safeguard Indian students studying abroad. This absence of tailored protections leaves Indian students exposed to risks and vulnerabilities, with inadequate regulatory oversight putting them in jeopardy of falling prey to exploitation while seeking higher education outside India.
NGO President Jose Abraham, represented by Advocate Basin Jaison, highlighted a concerning trend of increasing fraud cases targeting students, leading to financial losses and detrimental impacts on their educational pursuits. The plea stresses the urgent need for appropriate legislative measures to address the critical issue of safeguarding Indian students’ interests during their migration abroad. As an interim solution, the plea advocates for the establishment of comprehensive guidelines to shield the rights and well-being of Indian students embarking on educational endeavors overseas.