KATHMANDU: At least 50 Indian universities and colleges are vying for students from Nepal at a time when the number of Nepali students seeking admission in Indian educational institutions has seen a sharp rise.

According to Nepal's education ministry, over 20,000 Nepali students obtained no objection letters to pursue higher education in various Indian universities and academic institutions last year. The trend is showing an upward trajectory and the numbers are likely to be up this year too, according to the ministry.

The ministry figures have come even as the Eighth India Education and Career Fair 2014 kicked off in Kathmandu Friday to showcase higher education opportunities for Nepali students in India.

India has been the first choice of Nepali students for higher studies for a long time now and there are many reasons for this.

First, India is the only country that allows a hassle-free entry to Nepali students as no visa procedure is required, said Sanjay Thapa, founder and managing director of SAPE, a Kolkata-based event management company.

Apart from India's proximity to Nepal and affordable tuition fees, the cultural closeness makes parents feel more secure about their wards, which is the main reason for the increasing number of students heading for India.
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