IITian charges Rs 4 lakh annual fee for Class 1: “Even Rs 20 LPA is not enough” |

The rising cost of education in India has become a controversial topic, with a recent viral post by Jaipur resident Rishabh Jain bringing the topic to the forefront. Jain, an alumnus and entrepreneur of IIT Bombay, highlighted the high fees charged by leading schools in Jaipur, with one school charging more than Rs 4 lakh annually for a Class 1 student. His candid post, published online resonated with thousands of parents, criticized the unaffordability of quality education for middle-class families, even those with significant incomes. The message sparked widespread debate and drew attention to the financial pressure on parents and the growing inequality in access to quality education.

The cost of education in Jaipur is Rs 4.27 lakh for class 1

Jain’s post, shared on who earn Rs 20 lakh annually could do so. have difficulty paying such costs. Jain explained that high-income taxpayers face significant deductions and essential living expenses, leaving limited disposable income to cover exorbitant school fees.
“With an income of 20L you fall into the highest tax bracket of 30% + CESS, you are not eligible for government schemes and you do not receive freebies or loan waivers like the rich,” he wrote. “From the remaining Rs 10L, you can get food and clothes, pay rent or EMIs and save something, or you can pay school fees for your two children.”
Jain’s concerns highlight a systemic problem in urban India, where quality education increasingly appears to be a luxury, unaffordable for many middle-class families.

The high tuition fees of private schools

The situation Jain describes is not unique to Jaipur. Across India, parents are struggling with rising school fees, a reflection of the growing commercialization of education. Prestigious private schools often charge high tuition fees, citing superior infrastructure, advanced curricula and extracurricular offerings. However, critics argue that such costs disproportionately burden families without significantly improving the quality of education.
Jain’s post also highlighted the lack of adequate government support for middle-income families. Unlike high-tax countries where public services such as education and healthcare are subsidized, many Indian families rely on private institutions to ensure quality education, further straining their finances.

Social media comments

Jain’s post sparked a polarized debate online. While many parents expressed solidarity and called the costs “outrageous,” others felt Jain was exaggerating the issue.
One user commented: “Brother, it feels like you’re exaggerating the numbers! And besides, you purposefully picked the most expensive school in your city to make this tweet.”
Defending his position, Jain replied, “It may feel like I’m exaggerating; believe me, it isn’t. Get married and settle in a big city and find it for yourself.’
Other users pointed to systemic problems, with one suggesting that education costs in India should be seen as an informal tax, similar to government spending in other countries.