Bengaluru School Fees Shock Parents: Over Rs 7 lakh for Class 1, Rs 11 lakh for Class 11

Bengaluru School Fees Shock Parents

A fee structure for a primary school in Bengaluru, shared on social media, has drawn attention for its high annual cost. The post, made by an X user named Hardik Pandya, detailed the annual fees for the 2025-26 academic year at an educational institution in the city.

According to the image shared in the post, the total annual cost for a student in Grade 1 is approximately Rs. 7,35,000. This figure is derived from a term fee of Rs. 3,67,500, payable twice per academic year for the Primary Years Programme (Grade 1 to 5).

The schedule also lists a one-time, non-refundable admission fee of Rs. 1,00,000, which is payable upon acceptance of enrollment. An additional application form charge of Rs. 1,000 is required at the time of submitting an online application.

The fee schedule indicates that costs increase for higher grades. The document shows fees for middle school and high school programmes, with the highest annual fee listed for the Grade 11 and 12 programme at Rs. 11,00,000.

The post has sparked discussion on the platform regarding the cost of private education in major Indian cities. The institution named in the fee schedule appears to be Neev Academy, an IB-affiliated institution in Bengaluru.

Annual fee structure of primary school years at one of the better institutions in Bangalore.

₹7,35,000 per annum from Grade 1.

Don’t miss the ₹1,00,000 non-refundable admission fees. pic.twitter.com/mHoOMRd6Qi

— Hardik Pandya (@hvpandya) August 30, 2025

User reaction was divided. One user expressed strong frustration with the current system, stating:

"Govt put a cap on movie ticket prices but forgot school fees. What is wrong with these private institutions? School fees should not exceed 50,000 per year. What is the point of the Right to Education in the Constitution?"

This perspective highlights a view of education as a fundamental right that should be accessible, not a luxury product. In contrast, another user defended the high fees, arguing:

"It’s an IB program, which is obviously expensive due to the international curriculum and teachers. One pays for the choices one makes. Choose a decent ICSE program. Even hotel rooms come with different prices…even if the actual use case is the same."

This argument frames the choice as a market-based decision, where premium curricula command higher prices due to their specialised costs and perceived value, comparing it to other services with tiered pricing models.

Financial planners often advise families to begin saving for education expenses well in advance, noting that tuition fees have historically experienced annual inflationary increases. The structure of the fees, particularly the separation of substantial one-time charges from recurring annual costs, is a critical factor for household budgeting.