International schooling in India has transitioned from an elite preference to a mainstream choice, with the country now having the second-largest number of international schools globally.
As of January 2025, 972 institutions are affiliated with global education boards.
This marks a 10% rise over five years, surpassing the global average growth of 8%.
A decade ago, only 197 schools followed the Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE) and 99 offered the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Today, Maharashtra leads with 210 such schools, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
ISC Research attributes this trend to rising incomes and a growing desire among Indian families for global education.
Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi are key hubs, but the expansion is also reaching smaller towns like Hatkanagale, Tholahunse, and Sonaghati.
Cambridge adds nearly 100 schools annually, while IB sees 30-40 new schools each year.
“Middle-class aspirations are at an all-time high, fueling this rapid growth,” said Mahesh Srivastava, former regional director, Cambridge International.
Beyond the curriculum, parents appreciate the structure of international education, which focuses on:
- Smaller class sizes,
- Experiential learning, and
- Interdisciplinary thinking
“It’s not just about teaching—it’s about fostering problem-solvers and global thinkers,” said Kunal Dalal, managing director of JBCN Education.
Interestingly, while many students pursue higher studies abroad, 60-70% now stay in India for college. Indian educators are also taking the lead in these institutions, replacing foreign heads.
The trend is not just academic but commercial.
“Parents hesitate to pay ₹4 lakh for a CBSE school, but add an international tag, and they accept it,” said educationist Francis Joseph.
Many schools now run dual curricula – CBSE alongside IB or IGCSE – targeting diverse income groups.
International schooling in India is no longer a niche trend; it has become a defining feature of the country’s evolving education landscape.
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