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As disputes continue between the Union and state governments over the implementation of the New Education Policy, a new trend is quietly reshaping India’s school landscape.
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools have witnessed a massive 43.8 per cent growth in the past five years, drawing the attention of middle-class parents eager for global-standard education.
This shift is particularly visible in India’s tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where the appeal of the IB curriculum is growing. Parents believe the IB system enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities — and they are willing to pay premium fees for it.
According to ISC Research consultant Abhishek Pandey, the demand is rising not just in metros, but across the country.
Expansion beyond metros
“The number of IB schools in India has increased from 192 in 2020 to 276 in 2025,” said Abhishek Pandey. “That’s a 44 per cent jump.”
Many of these schools are coming up in non-metro regions. “It’s no longer just about Delhi or Mumbai. Parents in smaller towns also want their children to have exposure to international education,” he added.
Currently, IB schools make up 28 per cent of India’s international school market — a figure expected to grow further as existing CBSE and ICSE institutions pivot towards international curricula.
Also read: Skyrocketing private school fees biting hard into wallets of TN parents
Why parents prefer IB
For many parents, the decision is strategic. “They want their kids to be global citizens,” said Pandey. “A lot of existing international schools that were offering the Cambridge curriculum are now switching to IB.”
The international curriculum is seen as a gateway to opportunities abroad. With increasing student migration, a globally recognized syllabus is seen as a ticket to top universities and global jobs.
The shift is also driven by the perception that IB offers a more skill-based, flexible learning system compared to India’s rigid exam-oriented models.
But at what cost?
However, the benefits come at a steep price. The annual tuition in many IB schools ranges from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh. In prestigious institutions like Kodaikanal International School, the fee can touch Rs 18.5 lakh for senior classes, with total costs going beyond Rs 25 lakh.
“There are cases where parents take loans and pay EMIs to afford these schools,” The Federal‘s investigation found.
Not everyone sees this boom as a good sign. Critics argue that the IB wave may be more about investor profits than educational quality.
Also read: Tamil Nadu provides NEET crash course to over 8,200 govt school students
Questions of quality and intent
Some educationists warn of underprepared teachers and an unregulated influx of new institutions. “We haven’t planned for teacher training. Many IB schools are hiring upgraded mothers with good communication skills, but no teaching background,” said educationist Netanjalian.
He added, “They prioritize appearance over expertise. There’s no training institution backing these curricula. So, how can they claim quality?”
He criticized the trend as a form of “unmindful expansion,” stating that “investors running second-rate universities abroad” are now targeting India for its youth population.
Choosing the right school
How can a parent differentiate between a genuine IB institution and a marketing gimmick?
“Look at schools like Kodaikanal International or Doon Valley in Dehradun,” said Netanjalian. “They’ve been around for over 100 years, with strong alumni and investment in faculty.”
But he warned that many newer IB institutions tie up with mediocre foreign universities for commissions, pushing students toward costly courses with little real value.
“Parents are the ones paying, but the real victims are the children,” Netanjalian said.
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