Rs 50 lakh income vs Bengaluru school fee: Unaffordable even for high-earning IT couple, says financial Planner

The rising cost of private education in India has increasingly become a source of concern for families, even those with high incomes. Across major cities, annual school fees have climbed sharply, raising questions about affordability, access, and whether quality schooling is turning into a privilege for the few. The debate has now intensified in Bengaluru, where the fee structure of a leading international school for the 2025–26 academic year has gone viral, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

Viral Fee Structure Raises Questions

The school’s official document revealed steep charges across all grades. Parents enrolling a child in Grade 1 would need to pay Rs 7.35 lakh annually, while fees for Grades 11 and 12 stood at Rs 11 lakh per year. A one-time, non-refundable admission fee of Rs 1 lakh added further to the initial burden.

The post, shared by financial planner D. Muthukrishnan on X (formerly Twitter), questioned whether even well-paid professionals could manage such costs. He argued that an IT couple with a combined pre-tax income of ₹50 lakh and two children in school would find these charges difficult to afford. While acknowledging the free-market nature of private schooling, he described the situation as an example of the growing extremes in India.

Public Reaction and Divided Opinions
The disclosure quickly went viral, with many expressing disbelief that education costs could stretch the finances of even upper-middle-class families. Several users remarked that such expenses explained why many urban couples are hesitant about having children.

However, some defended the pricing, suggesting that international curricula such as IB and Cambridge, smaller class sizes, and modern infrastructure justified the fees. Others compared the costs with global standards, noting that international schools abroad charge far higher amounts, making these rates appear modest in comparison.

Not everyone agreed. In the comments, a Bengaluru-based advocate blamed social attitudes for enabling such high prices. He argued that society itself had fuelled the demand for private schooling by equating it with future financial success. He further suggested that if parents collectively chose government schools for even a short period, private institutions would be forced to reduce their fees.