Exodus of Students: Colleges scramble to stem the tide

By: Seethal Maria Binu

The aspiration to migrate abroad or to neighbouring states for higher studies and work is not new in Kerala. But a noticeable trend has emerged in recent years: A growing number of students from Kerala are opting for college admissions in states with relatively low human development index (HDI) scores—regions that, by national standards, lag behind in health, education and living conditions.

Today, students are not just heading to neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but also to places like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat and Punjab, besides Delhi. Some are enrolling for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, while others are even pursuing PhDs. This migration is occurring despite the availability of ample seats in Kerala’s own universities.

According to a 2024 submission by the state govt in the legislative assembly, about 40% of undergraduate seats and 14% of postgraduate seats remain vacant in Kerala’s colleges. This clearly indicates that the exodus is not due to a lack of educational options within the state.

So why are students choosing to leave? Many students also say they are less interested in campus politics and more focused on new-age, job-oriented courses. Unfortunately, Kerala’s colleges still mostly stick to traditional courses. Even autonomous institutions that try to introduce industry-relevant programmes often struggle to get university approvals. This mismatch between student aspirations and institutional offerings is pushing many to look elsewhere.

“One big reason many Kerala students prefer studying outside is the freedom they experience away from home—freedom from societal pressure and constant judgement,” said Aghil M, an MSc Computer Science student at the Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer. “When no one knows you, there’s no one to judge you either.”

Though Kerala students consistently perform well academically, the infrastructure and innovation in many of the state’s colleges don’t keep pace. In the 2024 Class XII board exams, 2,88,394 out of 3,70,642 students qualified for higher education, with 30,145 securing A+ in all subjects. Despite this, students say Kerala lacks enough quality institutions with high NAAC ratings that offer modern academic and research opportunities.
“While our marks soar, our colleges struggle with poor infrastructure and outdated academics,” said Meenu C Dev, an IMSc Psychology student at Hyderabad University.

“Kerala has only a few national-level institutions that attract students from different states. Most colleges still focus heavily on conventional streams like science and engineering, offering limited options for those pursuing non-mainstream fields. While some institutions provide good job-oriented courses, seats are scarce, and competition is fierce. Many of us are forced to look beyond Kerala—not because we lack merit or ambition, but because we need space to grow, explore, and dream bigger.”

In 2023, Muhammed Salman S. from Alappuzha joined the three-year integrated BEd & MEd programme at the Central University of Kashmir, the only university offering the three-year integrated course at the time. “It saved me a year, and I always wanted to study in Kashmir—the snow-clad mountains I saw in movies growing up fascinated me,” he said. Beyond academics, the cultural experience and diversity that come with studying in other states are also major draws. Students describe the exposure as enriching, both personally and professionally.

Language or food is rarely a barrier for Malayali students. “We adapt quickly. Wherever we go, there are always Malayali seniors and peers—we form a support system,” said Meenu. “It’s like being home, even when you’re far from home.”

Still, choosing this path isn’t always easy—especially when it involves convincing parents. Achanya AP, a third-semester MA English student at Central University of South Bihar, shared her experience of choosing to study in Bihar. “Some wondered why I would go so far, especially to Bihar. But I asked—why should I choose a govt college here with poor NAAC scores or pay exorbitantly at a private college, when I can attend a NAAC A++ central university with excellent faculty?” she said. “Since I was convinced, I could convince others too.”

This shift reflects a broader change in mindset among Kerala’s youth. For many, studying outside the state is not just about education—it’s about autonomy, exposure, and chasing better opportunities, even if that means going to places once considered ‘less preferred’.