‘Reverse brain drain’: Founder says foreign grads want to move back to India for ‘growth, stability’
Foreign-Bound Graduates Are Choosing to Return to India for Career Growth
Bharatmorningnews.com – Arjun Vaidya, a startup founder, recently had an enlightening experience at London Business School. During his visit, conversations with Indian students uncovered an unexpected trend in career aspirations. The founder documented these insights on Instagram, highlighting how more international graduates are opting to return to India instead of remaining overseas. Economic expansion, robust investor trust, and advantageous purchasing power at home are the primary motivators behind this shift.
A Personal Connection to LBS
Through a series of Instagram posts, Vaidya elaborated on his campus visit. He mentioned that attending LBS had always been a dream. After selling his business alongside Trisha, they considered pursuing this goal but ultimately decided against it. Earlier in the year, he addressed an LBS gathering in India. Today, he made time to meet some of those same students on campus.
“I always wanted to go to LBS. Trisha and I thought about it after selling our business. But we didn’t,” he wrote. “Earlier this year, I spoke at their India conclave. And today, I stopped by the campus to see some of those students.”
The conversations left him pleasantly surprised. He discovered that the majority of students planned to relocate back home following their studies. According to Vaidya, opportunities appear more promising in India right now.
Salary Comparisons and Economic Factors
Vaidya conducted a detailed comparison of earning potential in both locations. He calculated that a monthly income of approximately 50 lakhs in India provides similar purchasing power to earning around 150,000 British pounds annually in London.
“If someone earns ~50 L PA in India – the saving from a purchasing power lens would be the same as a GBP 150k PA ish salary.”
He emphasized that India currently offers superior growth prospects, stability, and investor confidence. Concluding his discussion with the students, Vaidya predicted that many graduates from overseas universities—both undergraduate and master’s level—would choose to return to India.
“So, we ended the conversation on an Interesting note. There will be a large number of graduates from foreign colleges (undergrad and master’s) who will want to come back to India.”
Employer Perspectives on Returning Graduates
One employer shared their observations, noting increased applications from graduates with international degrees. Interestingly, they found that hiring domestic graduates often makes more financial sense. These candidates typically request lower compensation, possess better understanding of local market dynamics, and demonstrate stronger work ethic.
“We see many more graduates with foreign degrees applying for roles with us as well, at a higher rate. Interestingly for us, it doesn’t make business sense to hire them over those who graduate from Indian colleges. The latter asks for a lower salary, knows the Indian context better and works harder most often.”
Another commenter attributed the trend primarily to visa restrictions and reluctance from companies to provide sponsorship. They described a growing Indian community in the UK where many feel discouraged about staying abroad. Those eager to build their own ventures, however, welcome the opportunity to return home.
“It’s mainly because of Visa and companies not willing to sponsor! There is a meta Indian community in the UK where many are disheartened to return to their home country. Those who want to get into building something on their own are happy to get back.”
A third observer confirmed that reverse brain drain has become the new standard for international students.
“Yes, the reverse brain drain is now a new normal for international students.”
About the Founder
Arjun Vaidya completed his education at Dhirubhai Ambani International School before earning his degree from Brown University. He established a startup in 2021 alongside his business partner.
About the Author
Trisha Sengupta serves as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, bringing more than six years of digital newsroom experience. She excels at identifying and analyzing the internet’s most discussed topics, specializing in engaging storytelling that connects viral phenomena with traditional journalism.
During her time at the publication, Trisha has concentrated on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She regularly reports on personal finance challenges and real estate issues in major Indian cities including Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Her coverage also explores the distinctive difficulties faced by Non-Resident Indians.
Her reporting frequently examines the movements and philosophies of prominent global figures such as Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, the Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From documenting workforce reductions at Amazon and Meta to tracking startup culture and AI platforms like Grok and xAI, Trisha delivers thoughtful and compassionate analysis of the stories defining our era.
Outside of work, Trisha can often be found reading, visiting historical sites, or traveling independently. She maintains a balance between her demanding career and personal life, combining family time with genuine curiosity. Currently, she is transitioning from human sources to silicon-based tools as she develops AI capabilities to enhance her storytelling approach.