New Delhi: Amid growing uncertainty around international education, Ashoka University in Haryana’s Sonipat has launched a special undergraduate admission drive, exclusively for students who either hold admission offers from US-based educational institutions or are currently enrolled in one.
The drive was announced by one of Ashoka’s founders, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Thursday on his official handle on microblogging site X.
Posting about the ‘Special Admissions Round for the 2025 intake of the Undergraduate Programme’, he said: “This special round has been announced to support students and families seeking academic continuity and a world-class education, as they navigate increasing concerns around safety, visa delays, and shifting global policies.”
The application window opened on 16 June and will continue till 30 June. Those admitted will join the session commencing in August.
Applicants must submit a confirmed admission offer letter from a US university or institution, along with the original application form submitted to that institution. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an on-the-spot essay and interview.
In a communication to ThePrint, the university said the announcement has generated significant interest among those who had initially planned to study in the US, reflecting growing interest in high-quality education options within India. “Many applications have been received already and are in the process of being reviewed,” it said.
The university further said the special round of admissions was a gesture of support, to make world-class learning more accessible to students in India.
“At Ashoka University, we remain deeply committed to delivering an academic experience that matches global standards, through our exceptional faculty, interdisciplinary curriculum, and a dynamic campus environment,” it stated.
The university’s announcement comes as Indian students face uncertainties following the Trump administration’s crackdown on international students in the US as well as educational institutions.
Last month, the US Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University’s certification to enrol new international students. However, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the move.
The Trump administration in May also paused visa appointments while developing a new social media vetting policy. According to media reports, the US State Department will resume scheduling appointments for international student visas but will require all applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced screening.
A BBC report said, officials have been directed to expand social media checks to identify any signs of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the US.
ThePrint reported in April that many private Indian universities, including Ashoka, were getting transfer applications from Indian students studying in the US.
According to Open Doors, a data portal by Institute of International Education that studies international educational exchange activity into and out of the US, institutes in the nation enrolled 3,31,602 Indian students in the 2023-24 academic year, making India the largest source of international students flocking to the US. Of the 11,26,690 international students in the US, 29.4 percent were Indian.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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