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“The more important problem is that education is a fundamental right, and that means it should not be a monetary tool. Yet schools are openly doing it,” one user reacted.
His IIT fees were half of the Rs 4 lakh fees of the kindergartner.
The rising cost of education, especially in India’s metro cities, is once again under scrutiny after a social media post comparing pre-school fees with the cost of an elite engineering degree went viral. The post mentioned that the annual fee for Upper Kindergarten was Rs 4 lakh. No, it is not a joke. People were left stunned after coming across this whopping amount, that too, just for UKG.
On Wednesday, February 18, Aviral Bhatnagar, founder and managing partner of AJVC, a pre-seed fund that invests in Indian start-ups, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight what he called the “hidden inflation” in education. In his post, the IIT Bombay alum shared, “Cousin told me her daughter’s UKG fees is crossing 4L/yr in Mumbai.”
The IIT Alum Says Fees For His Engineering Degree Were Half Of The UKG Fees
Aviral compared this with his own expenses at the premier Indian institution, saying, “My fees at IIT Bombay was half that for the entirety of the 4 years.” He continued, “Education costs are the hidden inflation that no one is talking about. Perhaps AI tutors will make it affordable again.” He completed a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Engineering Physics at IIT Bombay between 2010 and 2014.
Cousin told me her daughter’s UKG fees is crossing 4L/yr in MumbaiMy 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
Internet Reacts To The Whopping Fees For UKG
The post prompted a wide range of reactions online, with many people even sharing their own experiences. One user said, “I got my daughter admitted recently for Prep (UKG) in Gurugram. They charged 1 lakh admission fee, 70k refundable fee, 20k per month tuition fee and around 7k per month for bus. That’s around 5 lakh, and there will be uniform, books, activities, etc that, I think, will be over and above this.”
“The double whammy is that while the fee is increasing manyfold, the quality of education is falling at the same rate. Very few schools are preparing our kids well across parameters, and those who are set up to do this are rarely trusted by parents,” quipped another.
“Education, marriage, medical – most profitable business in India. Govt schools and hospitals are in the worst conditions to boost private schools and hospitals. India is only for rich people,” a different person shared.
“The more important problem is that education is a fundamental right, and that means it should not be a monetary tool. Yet schools are openly doing it,” someone else wrote.
“Its not education cost inflation but Lifestyle Inflation costs, your cousin is rich already he want to send to top nursery school…once we get money we no longer settle for cheap..for example When I was in school buying from Mcdonald’s was luxury because who is gonig to buy 240rs worth burger.. now once I started earning the espresso at decent cafe cost 280rs and i dont mind paying that much..Schools charge fees based on how much parents make… If school owners know I earn 1 cr per annum, they will charge me more….anyway, homeschooling is best and cheapest way to educate your kids….do consider this option,” commented an individual.
Delhi, India, India
February 19, 2026, 16:12 IST
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