India has no single mandatory national health insurance for international students — but most universities require enrollment in their group health scheme on arrival.
Last updated: March 2026
Best for: All enrolled students — mandatory at most Indian universities
Managed by the university's student welfare office. Typically covers inpatient hospitalization (₹1–3 lakh sum insured), day-care procedures, and emergency ambulance. Very affordable but usually limited to networked hospitals. Enrollment happens automatically during admission.
Learn moreBest for: Students wanting broader domestic coverage with cashless hospitals
Star Health Insurance is India's largest standalone health insurer. Student plans cover sum insured ₹2–5 lakh, cashless at 14,000+ hospitals nationwide, pre- and post-hospitalization, and AYUSH treatments up to ₹25,000. No sub-limits on room rent. Claim settlement ratio: 99.06%.
Learn moreBest for: Students wanting cashless cover across metros and tier-2 cities
Both insurers offer student-specific plans with sum insured ₹3–10 lakh. Features: cashless hospitalization, personal accident cover, ambulance cover, and optional OPD rider. Bajaj Allianz additionally covers study interruption due to illness.
Learn moreBest for: Students from abroad who need global coverage + repatriation
Plans from Allianz Care, AXA Student, or your home country insurer. Covers medical evacuation, repatriation, global cover outside India, and English-language support. Important: check if your plan is valid in India and recognized by your university.
Learn more| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| University Group Insurance (annual) | ₹3,000–8,000/year (~€33–88) | Lowest cost option. Most universities bundle this with tuition fees or charge separately at enrollment. Sum insured typically ₹1–3 lakh. Covers inpatient care at empanelled hospitals. |
| Private Indian Health Insurance (annual) | ₹6,000–15,000/year (~€66–165) | Individual plan from Star Health, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, or Niva Bupa. Higher sum insured (₹3–10 lakh), wider hospital network, cashless claims. Costs vary by age and coverage level. |
| Doctor visit (OPD / outpatient) | ₹300–800 per visit (~€3–9) | Government hospitals charge ₹50–200. Private clinics charge ₹500–1,500. OPD is rarely included in basic insurance — budget separately for doctor visits, tests, and prescriptions. |
| Hospitalization (private hospital) | ₹5,000–25,000/day (~€55–275) | Tier-1 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru) are more expensive. Government/district hospitals cost significantly less. Your insurance sum insured should cover at least 5–7 days of private hospitalization. |
| Emergency ambulance | ₹500–3,000 per trip (~€5–33) | Government ambulance (108) is free or subsidized in most states. Private ambulances charge ₹2,000–5,000. Most health insurance plans reimburse ambulance costs. |
University Group Insurance (annual)
₹3,000–8,000/year (~€33–88)
Lowest cost option. Most universities bundle this with tuition fees or charge separately at enrollment. Sum insured typically ₹1–3 lakh. Covers inpatient care at empanelled hospitals.
Private Indian Health Insurance (annual)
₹6,000–15,000/year (~€66–165)
Individual plan from Star Health, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, or Niva Bupa. Higher sum insured (₹3–10 lakh), wider hospital network, cashless claims. Costs vary by age and coverage level.
Doctor visit (OPD / outpatient)
₹300–800 per visit (~€3–9)
Government hospitals charge ₹50–200. Private clinics charge ₹500–1,500. OPD is rarely included in basic insurance — budget separately for doctor visits, tests, and prescriptions.
Hospitalization (private hospital)
₹5,000–25,000/day (~€55–275)
Tier-1 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru) are more expensive. Government/district hospitals cost significantly less. Your insurance sum insured should cover at least 5–7 days of private hospitalization.
Emergency ambulance
₹500–3,000 per trip (~€5–33)
Government ambulance (108) is free or subsidized in most states. Private ambulances charge ₹2,000–5,000. Most health insurance plans reimburse ambulance costs.
Apply for the Indian e-Student Visa online before departure. You need your university admission letter, valid passport, and financial proof. Visa fees vary by nationality (typically USD 25–80). Processing takes 3–5 business days.
Within 14 days of arrival, register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) via frro.gov.in. Most nationalities must do this. Bring your passport, visa, accommodation proof, and university enrollment documents.
At university registration, enroll in the mandatory group health insurance scheme. Pay the annual premium (₹3,000–8,000). Receive your insurance card and the list of empanelled hospitals. Keep the insurer helpline number saved.
If the university plan has a low sum insured (under ₹2 lakh), consider adding a top-up plan from Star Health, ICICI Lombard, or Bajaj Allianz. A ₹5 lakh top-up costs around ₹3,000–5,000/year extra. Check if your home-country insurer also covers India.
Emergency: 112 (unified), Ambulance: 108 (free in most states), Police: 100, Fire: 101. Your university's international student office is your first point of contact for medical emergencies. Note the nearest empanelled hospital to your campus.
India welcomes over 47,000 international students each year, drawn to institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Delhi University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. India’s healthcare system is a mix of world-class private hospitals and extensive government facilities — and costs are dramatically lower than in Europe or the US.
India does not require insurance by law for a student visa, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. A private hospital stay in Delhi or Mumbai can cost ₹10,000–30,000/day (€110–330). Without coverage, even a three-day inpatient stay could wipe out a month’s budget. The good news: university group plans cost just ₹250–650/month — less than a restaurant meal.
India’s healthcare has two distinct tiers:
Government hospitals (AIIMS, PGI, district hospitals): Low or zero cost, long wait times, often excellent clinical quality at tertiary centers like AIIMS Delhi. For students in smaller cities, these may be the main option.
Private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Max, Manipal, Medanta): High quality, English-speaking staff in metros, short wait times — but expensive without insurance. A specialist consultation runs ₹800–2,000; a day surgery can reach ₹50,000–2,00,000.
At almost every Indian university, you enroll in a group health insurance scheme on the first day of registration. The plan covers:
Sum insured is typically ₹1–3 lakh. That covers most common hospitalizations. For surgeries or serious illness, it may not be enough — which is why a top-up plan is worth considering.
Within 14 days of arriving in India, most international students must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). You do this online at frro.gov.in. Missing the deadline can lead to fines and visa complications. Your university’s international student office can help with the process.
Healthcare costs vary significantly by city:
| City | GP visit | Private hospital/day | Ambulance (private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹600–1,500 | ₹15,000–30,000 | ₹2,000–4,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹700–1,800 | ₹18,000–35,000 | ₹2,500–5,000 |
| Bengaluru | ₹500–1,200 | ₹12,000–25,000 | ₹1,500–3,500 |
| Chennai | ₹400–1,000 | ₹10,000–22,000 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Pune / Hyderabad | ₹400–1,000 | ₹8,000–18,000 | ₹1,000–2,500 |
Government hospitals are 5–10x cheaper in all cities.
Mental health awareness is growing in India, and the Mental Healthcare Act (2017) mandates equal treatment of mental and physical illness. Private insurers increasingly cover psychiatric inpatient care. Star Health, ICICI Lombard, and Bajaj Allianz all include psychiatric hospitalization in their standard plans. Outpatient therapy is rarely covered but costs ₹800–2,500 per session privately.
If you’re struggling, universities typically offer free counseling through their student welfare offices. iCall (022-25521111) and Vandrevala Foundation (1860-2662-345) offer free 24/7 helplines.
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