India’s Nursery Schools Cost More Than MBAs—Parents Still Line Up
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In many of India’s wealthiest cities, nursery school fees have climbed to eye-watering levels—some reaching ₹2.5 lakh per year, equivalent to ₹21,000 per month—prompting strong public reactions. A school in Hyderabad sparked particular attention when its fee structure went viral, raising questions about the affordability of early childhood education.
A wealth advisor noted that for some children, tuition begins at levels that surpass even those of top MBA programs. For example, Mumbai’s Dhirubhai Ambani International School charges a staggering ₹14 lakh per year for nursery, followed by École Mondiale at ₹6.9 lakh, Oakridge International, Bengaluru at ₹3.6 lakh, Pathways World School, Gurgaon at ₹1.6 lakh, and Pune’s Indus International at ₹2.33 lakh annually.
Despite these high costs, demand remains intense—particularly in Delhi, where more than 2.3 lakh applications were received for just 1.25 lakh nursery seats. This speaks to the broader trend that parents are not merely seeking education—they’re investing in status, prestige, and social leverage from the earliest years.
Many critics argue that such exorbitant fees reflect a shift away from education toward exclusivity. One Reddit discussion summed it up well: these schools are “elite bubbles” where privilege outpaces pedagogy
