In a significant move to support India’s evolving international education landscape, TOEFL and ETS are expanding their footprint into smaller towns and Tier II-III cities across the country. This strategic push comes as Indian students increasingly look beyond the traditional 'Big Four' destinations the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia and explore a broader range of global opportunities.
Indian student mobility is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. According to Karan Lalit, Executive Director, TOEFL, GRE, and ETS in India and South Asia, the preference is shifting from a concentrated 'Big Four' focus to a more diversified 'Big 14' landscape.
“The U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia remain highly desirable due to their world-class institutions and strong alumni networks”, Lalit said. “However, students are now actively considering Germany, France, Ireland, New Zealand, the UAE, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Spain, and even Bangladesh.”
Latest data shared by TOEFL highlights this diversification. Canada hosts the highest number of Indian students at 4.27 lakh, followed by the United States (3.37 lakh), the United Kingdom (1.85 lakh), and Australia (1.22 lakh). Beyond the Big Four, Germany has over 43,000 Indian students, the UAE 25,000, Russia 24,000, and significant numbers in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, France, Kazakhstan, Philippines, China, and Bangladesh.
Mr. Lalit attributed this trend to the rising aspirations of students from smaller towns and cities who are seeking affordable, high-quality education coupled with strong employment prospects.
“Students today are more informed and pragmatic", he explained. “They evaluate destinations based on affordability, visa policies, post-study work opportunities, employability, and return on investment. This is not a decline in ambition but rather a sign of matured decision-making. Students from smaller towns are now confidently stepping forward to pursue higher education abroad".
To meet this growing demand and improve access, ETS the organisation behind the globally recognised TOEFL and GRE tests has announced a major partnership with Crizac Limited. The collaboration aims to provide authorised TOEFL and GRE preparation resources to over a million study abroad aspirants, particularly in non-metro regions.
Crizac brings an extensive network of more than 14,000 student recruitment partners connected with over 500 universities across 85 countries. This partnership is expected to bridge the gap in credible counselling and official test preparation that many students in smaller towns currently face.
“As students explore beyond traditional destinations, the demand for trusted assessments and preparation resources is rising rapidly in Tier II and Tier III cities,” Lalit added. “TOEFL is currently accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in 160 countries. We currently have 65 test centres in India and plan to increase this to 100 by 2027, with a strong focus on smaller towns".
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One example is Purulia in West Bengal, where TOEFL is planning a new centre, while the state currently has centres only in Kolkata.
Dr. Vikash Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of Crizac Limited, emphasised the mission behind the partnership, “Talent should never be limited by access. Through this collaboration with ETS, we are bringing authorised preparation resources closer to students and supporting them with scholarships and financial aid. Nearly one lakh students are expected to benefit directly from this initiative".
The expansion reflects a larger shift in India’s overseas education ecosystem. Students from smaller towns, once largely absent from global mobility trends, are now actively participating. This democratisation of international education is being driven by increased awareness, digital access, and a desire for better career outcomes.
By strengthening its presence in eastern and smaller regions of India, ETS and TOEFL aim to ensure that geography is no longer a barrier for ambitious students. The move is expected to boost not just test-taking numbers but also the overall quality of preparation and success rates for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad.
As Indian student mobility continues to diversify and decentralise, initiatives like the ETS-Crizac partnership signal a promising future one where opportunity is more evenly distributed across the country, empowering the next generation of global-ready talent from every corner of India.
