More expensive than IIT Bombay? Mumbai school’s Rs 4 lakh UKG fee claim goes viral

A viral X post claimed that the school fee of UKG student has become exorbitant. (AI-generated pic for representation)

A post on X claiming that a Mumbai school is charging around Rs 4 lakh a year as fees for a UKG student has gone viral, sparking a broader discussion on the rising cost of school education in urban India.

The post was shared by Aviral Bhatnagar, who said his cousin’s daughter’s annual UKG fee in Mumbai had crossed Rs 4 lakh. Drawing a comparison, he pointed out that his entire four-year education at IIT Bombay cost nearly half that amount. He described education as a “hidden inflation” that is rarely discussed and suggested that AI-driven tutoring could eventually make learning more affordable.

Cousin told me her daughter's UKG fees is crossing 4L/yr in Mumbai

My fees at IIT Bombay was half that for the entirety of the 4 years Education costs are the hidden inflation that no-one is talking about Perhaps AI tutors will make it affordable again — Aviral Bhatnagar (@aviralbhat) February 18, 2026

Post triggers online reactions

The claim triggered a wave of reactions online, with users offering contrasting views on why school fees are climbing so sharply. One user argued that the issue was not education inflation but lifestyle inflation, saying affluent parents willingly pay premium prices for top-brand nursery schools. According to the commenter, schools set their fees based on what parents earn, turning education into a status symbol rather than a basic service, while suggesting homeschooling as a cheaper alternative.

Another user took aim at the broader system, calling education, healthcare, and marriage the most profitable businesses in India. The commenter alleged that the poor condition of government schools and hospitals is indirectly driving families towards expensive private institutions, effectively making quality services accessible only to the wealthy.

Sharing a personal experience, another parent said they recently admitted their daughter to Prep (UKG) in Gurugram and were charged Rs 1 lakh as an admission fee, Rs 70,000 as a refundable deposit, Rs 20,000 per month as tuition fees, and nearly Rs 7,000 per month for school transport. The total annual cost, they said, comes close to Rs 5 lakh, excluding uniforms, books, and extracurricular activities.

A separate comment framed the issue as “status pricing” rather than simple fee hikes. At ₹4 lakh a year for UKG in Mumbai, the user remarked, the child should be coming home with a pitch deck and a working app. The commenter argued that parents are paying not just for academics but for safety, social networks, and peace of mind, adding that high land costs, emotional demand, and brand value allow schools to command such prices