A parent-friendly guide to top 25 residential schools in India, with a closer look at SIRS Bhubaneswar
Why this guide exists
Choosing a boarding school is not just about academics. It’s about where your child will live, grow, build habits, and learn to stand on their own feet. When parents search for the best boarding schools in India, they’re usually trying to answer three real questions:
Will my child be safe and well cared for?
Will the school build strong academics and real confidence?
Will my child leave school, ready for the world, not just exams?
This article shares a practical way to evaluate top residential schools in India, and then lists 25 well-known boarding schools' parents commonly consider. It also explains why SIRS Bhubaneswar is increasingly seen as a modern, high-value choice in this category.
How boarding schools in India have evolved
Boarding schools in India have long been associated with discipline, academic rigor, and character-building. What has changed is what families now expect from residential education. Results still matter, but parents also look for emotional wellbeing, mentorship, life skills, and exposure beyond the textbook.
What to look for in boarding schools
Use this checklist before you get impressed by a brochure:
Academic approach: conceptual learning, not rote memorisation
Residential care: house parents, supervision, routines, and pastoral systems
Wellbeing: counselling, mentorship, and a culture where children can speak up
Balance: sports, arts, clubs, leadership, and time to rest
Exposure: competitions, projects, global programmes or modern learning frameworks
Suitability: whether the school suits your child’s temperament and learning style
Top 25 boarding schools in India (commonly shortlisted)
Note on fees: Many schools publish fee structures, while others share them on request or vary them by grade, boarding category, and programme. Wherever publicly available, we’ve indicated approximate annual boarding fees; where not, it’s marked as “varies / on request.”
The Doon School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A legacy leadership-oriented school with deep emphasis on academics, sports, service, and independent thinking.
Curriculum: CISCE (ISC)
Age Group: Boys, approx. 12–18 years
Type of School: Boys-only, fully residential
Year of Establishment: 1935
Mayo College – Ajmer, Rajasthan
One of India’s most recognised heritage residential schools, known for structure, tradition, and co-curricular depth.
Curriculum: CBSE (with additional pathways/options depending on grade)
Age Group: Approx. 9–18 years
Type of School: Primarily residential; format may vary by intake
Year of Establishment: 1875
Welham Boys’ School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Highly respected for academics, discipline, and consistent outcomes.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Boys, approx. 11–18 years
Type of School: Boys-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1937
Welham Girls’ School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Known for academic rigour, strong pastoral care, and leadership opportunities for girls.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Girls, approx. 11–18 years
Type of School: Girls-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1957
Bishop Cotton School – Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
A well-known hill boarding school with structured routines and strong co-curricular culture.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Boys, approx. 8–18 years
Type of School: Boys-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1859
Woodstock School – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
A long-established international boarding school known for diversity and progressive learning.
Curriculum: International programmes (IB/IGCSE pathways; confirm by grade)
Age Group: Approx. 6–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1854
SIRS Bhubaneswar (SAI International Residential School) – Odisha
A modern residential campus with strong focus on academics, wellbeing, and holistic development.
Curriculum: CBSE
Age Group: Typically Classes IV–XII (approx. 9–18 years)
Type of School: Co-educational residential school
Year of Establishment: 2016 (school launch year)
The Lawrence School, Lovedale – Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Known for values-based education and a strong residential culture in a hill setting.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Approx. 6–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1858
Scindia School – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
A prominent residential school known for leadership training and a vibrant campus culture.
Curriculum: CBSE
Age Group: Boys, approx. 10–18 years
Type of School: Boys-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1897
The Lawrence School, Sanawar – Near Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
One of India’s oldest co-ed boarding schools, with a strong residential tradition.
Curriculum: CBSE
Age Group: Classes V–XII (approx. 10–18 years)
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1847
Daly College – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
A heritage institution with modern programmes and strong infrastructure.
Curriculum: Multiple pathways (often includes CBSE/IB/IGCSE options; confirm by grade)
Age Group: Varies by programme
Type of School: Co-educational; day and boarding options
Year of Establishment: 1870
Sherwood College – Nainital, Uttarakhand
Popular residential school known for academics and a strong co-curricular environment.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Approx. 11–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1869
Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Focused on preparing students for defence services through structured training and academics.
Curriculum: CBSE / feeder model for defence academies (confirm current structure)
Age Group: Boys, typically 11–18 years
Type of School: Boys-only, residential; military-style training
Year of Establishment: 1922
Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Known for values-based education with modern academics and residential structure.
Curriculum: CBSE and/or international options depending on programme (confirm)
Age Group: Varies by programme
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1996
Sarala Birla Academy – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Known for strong academics, university readiness, and structured residential life.
Curriculum: Commonly offers CISCE/IGCSE pathways (confirm by grade)
Age Group: Boys, typically middle school to senior secondary
Type of School: Boys-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 2004
UWC Mahindra College – Pune, Maharashtra
A globally recognised pre-university residential model focused on international mindedness.
Curriculum: IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Age Group: Typically 16–19 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1997
Pinegrove School – Dharampur/Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Known for academic consistency and a strong residential culture in the hills.
Curriculum: CBSE
Age Group: Varies by campus/grade
Type of School: Co-educational; day and boarding options
Year of Establishment: 1991
Jain International Residential School (JIRS) – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Known for sports, activities, and a structured boarding environment with academic options.
Curriculum: Multiple pathways (often includes CBSE/IB/IGCSE options; confirm)
Age Group: Varies by programme
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1999
Heritage Girls’ School – Udaipur, Rajasthan
A newer girls’ boarding school with focus on confidence, leadership, and co-curricular depth.
Curriculum: CISCE / Cambridge pathways (confirm by grade)
Age Group: Girls, typically middle school to senior secondary
Type of School: Girls-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 2014
Good Shepherd International School (GSIS) – Ooty, Tamil Nadu
International residential school with multiple curriculum pathways and a strong campus culture.
Curriculum: IB, IGCSE, ICSE/ISC options (as offered by school)
Age Group: Approx. 5–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1977
Ecole Globale International Girls’ School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A premium girls’ boarding model focused on academics, grooming, and leadership.
Curriculum: CBSE + Cambridge options (confirm by grade)
Age Group: Girls, typically 10–18 years
Type of School: Girls-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 2012
Assam Valley School – Balipara, Assam
Strong residential culture with a focus on academics, sport, and outdoor learning.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Co-ed, typically 8–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 1995
St. Paul’s School – Darjeeling, West Bengal
A prominent hill boarding school known for tradition and disciplined residential life.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC)
Age Group: Boys; varies by grade
Type of School: Boys-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1823
Mussoorie International School (MIS) – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
A well-known girls’ residential school with a strong focus on academics, global exposure, and personality development.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC), Cambridge (IGCSE), IB options (confirm by grade)
Age Group: Girls, approx. 6–18 years
Type of School: Girls-only, residential
Year of Establishment: 1984
Kasiga School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A modern international boarding school offering a balanced approach to academics, sports, and experiential learning.
Type of School: Co-educational; day and residential options
Year of Establishment: 2007
Unison World School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A premium girls’ residential school focused on academic excellence, leadership, and global readiness.
Curriculum: CISCE (ICSE/ISC), Cambridge (IGCSE)
Age Group: Girls, approx. 6–18 years
Type of School: Girls-only; day and boarding options
Year of Establishment: 2007
SelaQui International School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Known for strong academic outcomes, disciplined residential life, and a focus on holistic student development.
Curriculum: CBSE, Cambridge (IGCSE)
Age Group: Approx. 10–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 2000
Tula’s International School – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A growing residential school emphasizing experiential learning, skill development, and modern infrastructure.
Curriculum: CBSE
Age Group: Approx. 10–18 years
Type of School: Co-educational, residential
Year of Establishment: 2012
Fee vs Value: positioning SIRS intelligently
Fees matter, but they’re only useful when they help you understand value. Many premium legacy and international boarding schools in India can cost anywhere from the upper single-digit lakhs to well above ₹15 lakhs per year, depending on the programme and grade. Those schools often offer history, brand reputation, and strong networks.
SIRS Bhubaneswar takes a more modern approach: the focus is on building a complete residential system around the student—academics with conceptual clarity, structured mentoring and pastoral care, strong co-curricular depth, and a campus designed for contemporary learning. For families who want a high-quality boarding experience without paying only for heritage, SIRS often lands in a sweet spot where the overall value feels intelligently priced.
Wrapping up
India’s best boarding schools are a mix of legacy institutions and newer, modern residential campuses. The right choice depends on your child’s personality and your priorities as a family.
If you want a shortlist that balances academics, wellbeing, modern exposure, and a structured residential life, SIRS Bhubaneswar is increasingly being considered among the top residential schools in India—especially by parents who want strong outcomes with a contemporary, student-first boarding experience.
