MHA Introduces 'e-Student Visa' and 'e-Student-X Visa' for International Students. National | Dated: 08 Jan 2025 On January 5, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced two new specialized visa categories: the 'e-student visa' and the 'e-student-x visa', aimed at facilitating foreign students pursuing higher education at Indian academic institutions. 🎯 Key Highlights: - The e-student visa is available to eligible foreign students who are registered on the Study in India (SII) portal. - The e-student-x visa is designated for the dependents of e-student visa holders. - Students interested in these visas are required to register on the SII portal, an initiative by the Ministry of Education (MoE), which streamlines the admission process for international students enrolling in long-term or short-term courses in India. 💡 Other Important Facts: (i) The Study in India (SII) portal, launched in 2018, streamlines the admission process for international students and connects them to over 600 partner institutes in India offering more than 8,000 courses across various disciplines, including engineering, management, agriculture, law, and niche fields like Buddhist Studies and Yoga. (ii) Foreign students applying through the SII portal are eligible for financial assistance, such as the Study in India Scholarship (worth USD 3,200), awarded to students excelling in the PRAGATII Exam, or a Fee Waiver. 📚 Test Your Knowledge: Which organization recently introduced the 'e-student visa' and 'e-student-x visa' for international students? Correct Answer: MHA 🚀 Quick Recap: