NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C., July 14, 2025: A new report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace reveals that Indian Americans, especially those born in the United States, are becoming more connected to their Indian identity.
The Indian American community—now numbering more than 5.2 million—is the second-largest immigrant group in the U.S. by country of origin. Carnegie’s report notes the group’s growing impact in all areas of American life—from politics and business to science and culture—while also calling attention to the challenges and divisions it continues to face.
The study, based on the 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey (IAAS), found that 86% of U.S.-born Indian Americans said being Indian is an important part of who they are—up from 70% in 2020. At the same time, many are moving away from calling themselves “Indian American.” In 2020, 43% used that label, but in 2024, only 26% preferred it. Instead, terms like “Asian Indian” and “Asian American” are becoming more popular.
Researchers say this shows a growing sense of pride in Indian roots, even as people blend Indian and American identities in different ways. “The idea of being both Indian and American is becoming stronger,” the report said.
Civic Engagement and Citizenship
The survey also looked at civic and political involvement. It found that Indian Americans who are U.S.-born citizens are the most active in public life—voting, attending community meetings, and joining social causes. Naturalized citizens are somewhat involved, while non-citizens are much less likely to take part in civic activities.
Ties to Indian Culture
Indian Americans continue to stay close to Indian culture. Most eat Indian food regularly, watch Indian movies, and celebrate Indian festivals. Even those born in the U.S. keep these traditions alive.
Views on Caste and Discrimination
The report found that 46% of Indian Americans identify with an upper or general caste, while 32% said they do not belong to any caste. Despite differences in caste identity, a large majority—77%—support making caste-based discrimination illegal in the United States.
Discrimination remains a concern. About 49% of those surveyed said they had faced discrimination in the past year. Most said it was based on skin color. Discrimination was reported more often by U.S.-born Indian Americans than by those born in India. Many also believe that Muslims in the Indian American community face higher levels of bias.
What This Means
This third and final part of the 2024 IAAS series paints a fuller picture of how Indian Americans live, think, and engage in society. It shows that the community is growing more confident in balancing both Indian and American identities. At the same time, challenges such as caste divisions and discrimination remain important issues.
The IAAS was conducted by Carnegie in partnership with YouGov and surveyed 1,206 Indian American adults, including citizens and non-citizens, across a range of ages, religions, and backgrounds.
The report highlights how Indian Americans are shaping their identity in a changing U.S. society—holding on to tradition while also adapting to new experiences.
Cover photo: Movina Nagarajan. File photo.
