Image: Representatives from IOM-UN Migration, DataLEADS and VFS Global after the launch of MIAC at VFS Global, New Delhi, under the Jagruk Jao initiative. © IOM/2025
New Delhi, 06 January 2026: On International Migrants Day 2025, a new Migrant Information and Awareness Centre (MIAC) dedicated to promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration was launched at the VFS Global Academy, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, New Delhi. The centre is designed to support students and workers intending to travel overseas with free, reliable, and verified migration-related information.
The MIAC is part of the Jagruk Jao initiative, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) (the UN Migration Agency), managed by DataLEADS, and hosted by VFS Global Academy.
India records the world’s largest annual migration outflow, with an estimated 2.5 million people migrating overseas each year. In the absence of credible information, many migrants remain vulnerable to misinformation, fraud, and exploitation by unscrupulous agents. MIACs aim to address these gaps through timely, preventive, and accessible information
The Delhi centre is the third MIAC established under the initiative, following centres in Karnal (Haryana) and Jalandhar (Punjab). These centres provide end-to-end awareness at critical stages of the migration journey.
As a pilot initiative to come up with the most effective engagement mechanisms with the aspiring migrants and students, MIACs offer guidance on documentation, recruitment processes, overseas employment conditions, education pathways, and settlement, while also cautioning migrants against common scams and irregular migration routes. The initiative collaborates with universities, vocational training institutes, placement agencies, worker collectives, and migrant support organisations to conduct awareness sessions and training. By combining institutional expertise, data-driven insights, and community engagement, Jagruk Jao seeks to build a more informed, resilient, and protected migration ecosystem in India.
The MIAC Delhi centre was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Awasthi, Head of Office, IOM-UN Migration in India, in the presence of Ms Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer (South Asia), VFS Global, and Mr Syed Nazakat, Founder & CEO, DataLEADS. The launch was also attended by representatives and delegations from several diplomatic missions, recruitment companies and civil society organisations underscoring the shared global commitment to safe and ethical migration.
Speaking at the launch, Sanjay Awasthi, Head of Office, IOM-UN Migration in India, said, “Access to accurate and timely information is essential for safe and regular migration. This pilot MIAC demonstrates how such centres can support migrants at different stages of their journey to make informed decisions and protect themselves from risks.”
Nirbhik Goel, CHRO, VFS Global, said, “At VFS Global Academy, we believe migration journeys begin with access to clear and trusted information. Through VFS Global Academy’s partnership in the Jagruk Jao initiative, we are supporting early awareness and preparedness for students and migrant workers. The MIAC set up at VFS Global Academy, Delhi, reflects our commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible migration.”
Syed Nazakat, Founder and CEO of DataLEADS, shared that “Migration is as old as civilization itself — people have always moved in search of opportunity, education, jobs and livelihood. What has changed today is the scale of movement and the volume of misinformation that surrounds it. Jagruk Jao is designed to close critical information gaps that often leave workers and students vulnerable to misinformation, fraud, and exploitation. We are honoured to work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and VFS Global Academy on this important initiative,” he said.
The event concluded with IOM–UN Migration, VFS Global Academy, and DataLEADS reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting transparent, ethical, and well-informed migration pathways through MIAC Delhi, and to strengthening protections for aspiring migrants through credible, community-based information systems.
DataLEADS: Syed Nazakat, syedn@dataleads.co.in
VFS Global Academy: Communications@vfsglobal.com
New Delhi, 06 January 2026: On International Migrants Day 2025, a new Migrant Information and Awareness Centre (MIAC) dedicated to promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration was launched at the VFS Global Academy, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, New Delhi. The centre is designed to support students and workers intending to travel overseas with free, reliable, and verified migration-related information.
The MIAC is part of the Jagruk Jao initiative, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) (the UN Migration Agency), managed by DataLEADS, and hosted by VFS Global Academy.
India records the world’s largest annual migration outflow, with an estimated 2.5 million people migrating overseas each year. In the absence of credible information, many migrants remain vulnerable to misinformation, fraud, and exploitation by unscrupulous agents. MIACs aim to address these gaps through timely, preventive, and accessible information
The Delhi centre is the third MIAC established under the initiative, following centres in Karnal (Haryana) and Jalandhar (Punjab). These centres provide end-to-end awareness at critical stages of the migration journey.
As a pilot initiative to come up with the most effective engagement mechanisms with the aspiring migrants and students, MIACs offer guidance on documentation, recruitment processes, overseas employment conditions, education pathways, and settlement, while also cautioning migrants against common scams and irregular migration routes. The initiative collaborates with universities, vocational training institutes, placement agencies, worker collectives, and migrant support organisations to conduct awareness sessions and training. By combining institutional expertise, data-driven insights, and community engagement, Jagruk Jao seeks to build a more informed, resilient, and protected migration ecosystem in India.
The MIAC Delhi centre was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Awasthi, Head of Office, IOM-UN Migration in India, in the presence of Ms Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer (South Asia), VFS Global, and Mr Syed Nazakat, Founder & CEO, DataLEADS. The launch was also attended by representatives and delegations from several diplomatic missions, recruitment companies and civil society organisations underscoring the shared global commitment to safe and ethical migration.
Speaking at the launch, Sanjay Awasthi, Head of Office, IOM-UN Migration in India, said, “Access to accurate and timely information is essential for safe and regular migration. This pilot MIAC demonstrates how such centres can support migrants at different stages of their journey to make informed decisions and protect themselves from risks.”
Nirbhik Goel, CHRO, VFS Global, said, “At VFS Global Academy, we believe migration journeys begin with access to clear and trusted information. Through VFS Global Academy’s partnership in the Jagruk Jao initiative, we are supporting early awareness and preparedness for students and migrant workers. The MIAC set up at VFS Global Academy, Delhi, reflects our commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible migration.”
Syed Nazakat, Founder and CEO of DataLEADS, shared that “Migration is as old as civilization itself — people have always moved in search of opportunity, education, jobs and livelihood. What has changed today is the scale of movement and the volume of misinformation that surrounds it. Jagruk Jao is designed to close critical information gaps that often leave workers and students vulnerable to misinformation, fraud, and exploitation. We are honoured to work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and VFS Global Academy on this important initiative,” he said.
The event concluded with IOM–UN Migration, VFS Global Academy, and DataLEADS reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting transparent, ethical, and well-informed migration pathways through MIAC Delhi, and to strengthening protections for aspiring migrants through credible, community-based information systems.
For more information, please contact:
IOM India: Alok Kumar, alkumar@iom.intDataLEADS: Syed Nazakat, syedn@dataleads.co.in
VFS Global Academy: Communications@vfsglobal.com
