Ashoka University Launches Special Admissions Round for U.S.-Bound Students Amid Visa Delays

The announcement comes as international students face unprecedented challenges due to tightened U.S. visa regulations.

Ashoka University has announced a groundbreaking Special Admissions Round for its 2025 undergraduate programme, exclusively targeting students who have received offers from institutions in the United States. The initiative, unveiled amid escalating concerns over safety, visa delays, and shifting global policies, aims to provide academic continuity and a world-class education for affected students and their families.

The announcement comes as international students face unprecedented challenges due to tightened U.S. visa regulations.

The move follows a significant policy shift in the United States, where the Trump administration—continued under the Biden administration—has ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to halt student visa appointments while expanding social media vetting of applicants. According to a recent NPR report (2025-05-28), this crackdown, linked to heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations, has disrupted plans for thousands of students slated to begin their studies in fall 2025. Additionally, the U.S. has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in university funding and moved to deport or revoke visas for many international students, further complicating the academic landscape.

Renowned entrepreneur and education advocate Sanjeev Bikhchandani, one of the founders of Ashoka University, took to X to highlight the initiative, posting: "Ashoka University launches a Special Admissions Round for the 2025 intake of the Undergraduate Programme, exclusively for students with offers from institutions located in the United States of America. This special round has been announced to support students and families seeking academic continuity and a world-class education, as they navigate increasing concerns around safety, visa delays, and shifting global policies."

The application window for this special round opened on June 16, 2025, and will close on June 30, 2025. Eligible candidates must submit a confirmed offer letter from a U.S. university or institution, along with the original application form submitted to that institution. The selection process includes an on-the-spot essay and an interview for shortlisted applicants.

Notably, the programme is also open to students already enrolled or studying at U.S.-based institutions, though those who have previously applied to Ashoka for the 2025 intake are ineligible. For further queries, the university has provided an email contact: ugapply@ashoka.edu.in.

This initiative reflects Ashoka University’s commitment to fostering an interdisciplinary liberal arts and sciences education, creating a supportive environment for students navigating global uncertainties.