Best Schools in India
Below is list of best schools in India with fee details.
1) The Doon School, Dehradun (Boarding)
Annual fee (AY 2025–26): ₹13,62,000 (ICSE/ISC); ₹15,62,000 (IB) — tuition only. One-time admission ₹5,00,000; refundable security ₹7,00,000.
Address: Mall Road, Dehradun – 248003, Uttarakhand.
Notable alumni: Sir Anish Kapoor (artist), Sandeep Khosla (designer), Ali Fazal (actor).
Why it stands out: iconic all-boys boarding school with strong liberal arts tradition and IB pathway.
Graduation degree with IAS coaching
2) Mayo College, Ajmer (Boarding)
Annual fee (W.E.F. Apr 1, 2025): ₹10,53,000; Caution ₹5,26,500; Admission ₹2,50,000 (one-time).
Address: Ajmer, Rajasthan (see official site for campus contact).
Notable alumni: (selection via school communications and public records).
Why it stands out: heritage campus, emphasis on leadership & sports; large all-boys boarding community.
3) The Scindia School, Gwalior (Boarding)
Annual fee (FY 2022–23 reference): ₹8,25,000 (tuition) + one-time admission ₹2,00,000 & caution ₹3,00,000 (Indian residents). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Address: The Fort, Gwalior – 474008, Madhya Pradesh.
Notable alumni: Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Salman Khan.
Why it stands out: hill-fort setting, long public-school tradition, strong STEM & sports.
4) The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet (Day/Day-cum-Boarding)
Annual fee (indicative 2025): ₹1.71–2.25 lakh (Classes LKG–X; day school).
Address: Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana (see official site for campus contact & fee calendar).
Notable alumni: Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Ajay Banga (World Bank).
Why it stands out: 100+ year legacy, expansive 150+ acre campus, deep alumni network in tech & public life.
5) Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai (Day)
Annual fee (media reference, 2024): ~₹14–20 lakh depending on grade/curriculum.
Address: Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400098, Maharashtra.
Notable alumni (selection/media): Janhvi & Khushi Kapoor, Suhana & Aryan Khan (school roll/media galleries).
Why it stands out: consistently top-ranked IB results, international placements, and extensive co-curriculars.
6) The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai (Day)
Annual fee (media reference, 2025): ~₹8–9 lakh.
Address: Fort, Mumbai (central business district).
Notable alumni: Salman Rushdie, Fareed Zakaria, Anand Mahindra; also Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, JRD Tata, etc.
Why it stands out: storied legacy, strong humanities & debating culture, competitive academics.
7) Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun (Boarding)
Annual fee: Refer official schedule (latest: AY 2024–25 page).
Address: Dalanwala/Municipal Road campus, Dehradun (see school site for full contact).
Notable alumni: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Brinda Karat, Radhika Roy.
Why it stands out: premier girls’ boarding with strong literary, arts and Model UN culture.
8) Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, New Delhi (Day/Hostel)
Annual fee (indicative): Typically in the ₹2–3 lakh range for day scholars (varies by class & session; verify with school).
Address: R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110022.
Notable alumni (selection): Raghuram Rajan, Kunal Bahl, Kriti Sanon, Aman Gupta, Tejashwi Yadav.
Why it stands out: consistently high CBSE outcomes, Olympiad culture, deep clubs & societies and national presence via DPSS network.
9) Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi (Day/Day-cum-Boarding)
Annual fee (reference PDF, 2022–23): See official fee schedule.
Address: Barakhamba Road, New Delhi – 110001.
Notable alumni (selection): Indira Gandhi; prominent leaders across politics, civil services, arts & business.
Why it stands out: flagship “Modern” campus with strong academic depth and an expansive arts & sports program.
10) La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata (Day)
Annual fee: Indicative ranges available via education portals; confirm directly with school.
Address: Central Kolkata (see official contact for exact campus address).
Notable alumni (Martinians): La Martiniere alumni include leaders across media, business and public life. :
Why it stands out: one of India’s oldest schools; academic rigor with celebrated traditions and activities.
One-glance comparison
| School | City | Board(s) | Annual Fee (tuition) | Address / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Doon School | Dehradun | ICSE/ISC, IB | ₹13.62L (ICSE/ISC); ₹15.62L (IB) | Mall Road, 248003 |
| Mayo College | Ajmer | CBSE | ₹10.53L (2025) | Official fee page & site. |
| The Scindia School | Gwalior | CBSE | ₹8.25L (2022–23 ref.) | The Fort, 474008 — official pages. |
| HPS Begumpet | Hyderabad | ICSE/ISC (+ Cambridge) | ₹1.71–2.25L (classes 1–10) | Begumpet campus — official site & fee calendar; fee grid |
| DAIS | Mumbai | ICSE, IGCSE, IB | ~₹14–20L (media) | BKC, Bandra (E), 400098 — official contact; fee report. |
| Cathedral & John Connon | Mumbai | CISCE (+ IB option) | ~₹8–9L (media) | Fort CBD — media & alumni lists. |
| Welham Girls’ | Dehradun | CISCE | See official 2024–25 schedule | Dehradun — school site. |
| DPS R. K. Puram | New Delhi | CBSE | Indicative ₹2–3L (class-wise) | R. K. Puram, 110022 — Wikipedia (official site linked). |
| Modern (Barakhamba) | New Delhi | CBSE | See fee PDF (2022–23) | Barakhamba Rd, 110001 — Wikipedia + fee PDF. |
| La Martiniere for Boys | Kolkata | CISCE | On enquiry | Central Kolkata — official site & alumni lists. |
Tuition figures exclude one-time admission, caution/security deposits, uniforms, transport, hostel & personal expenses unless stated otherwise.
Choosing the “best” school for your child
Match the curriculum to your goals. CBSE is ubiquitous and NEET/JEE-friendly; CISCE (ICSE/ISC) balances depth & language arts; IB DP and IGCSE (CAIE) give broad, inquiry-based pathways favored by global universities.
Visit and verify. Tour the campus and ask for current fee sheets; compare class sizes, counselor ratio, sports/arts facilities, and university placements. Many elite schools adjust fee schedules annually; rely on the official page inside this guide to confirm.
Budget realistically. For boarding, plan ₹9–16L+ per year all-in (tuition + boarding + incidentals). Top day schools vary widely: roughly ₹1.7–9L+, depending on city and curriculum — see each profile above for sources.
FAQ: Best Schools in India
Which board is “best” — CBSE, ICSE/ISC, IB or IGCSE?
There isn’t a universal “best.” CBSE aligns tightly with Indian entrance exams; CISCE emphasizes strong English & humanities alongside math/science; IB and IGCSE prioritize research, inquiry, and breadth for global admissions. Choose based on your child’s strengths and university targets.
How much do India’s best boarding schools cost?
Elite boarding schools typically list tuition between ~₹8–16 lakh per year, plus one-time admission & refundable security deposits. See The Doon School (₹13.62–15.62L tuition) and Mayo College (₹10.53L tuition) as current benchmarks.
Where can I check the latest fees?
Always consult each school’s official admissions/fee page. In this guide, Doon, Scindia, Mayo, HPS and Modern link to current or recent official documents. Media/portal figures are marked “indicative” and should be verified with the school before applying.