The international residential school market in India is witnessing steady growth, driven by rising disposable incomes, increasing global mobility, and parents' growing preference for holistic, globally benchmarked education.
These schools combine internationally recognized curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge International with residential facilities that emphasize academic excellence, leadership, extracurricular development, and multicultural exposure.
Reflecting this growing demand, India is now home to approximately 972 international schools, making it the second-largest international school market in the world. The sector has expanded steadily from 884 international schools in 2019 to 972 in 2025, while the International Baccalaureate segment has grown from just 11 IB schools in 2003 to 245 in 2025. Cambridge-affiliated schools have also witnessed strong growth, highlighting the increasing preference for globally recognized curricula.
Once concentrated in major metropolitan cities, international residential schools are now expanding into Tier II cities as demand extends beyond traditional affluent households. Rising aspirations for overseas higher education, global career opportunities, and experiential learning continue to drive enrolments, positioning premium residential schools as one of the fastest-growing segments of India's K–12 education landscape.
The growth of residential schools is India is being driven by visionary education leaders. The current edition of CEOinsights Asia magazine highlights a few such leaders.
Highlighted through the cover feature is Dasari Murali Krishna, a visionary educationist, entrepreneur, and social reformer with over two decades of experience in education and community development. As Founder Chairman of the Krishna Vikash Group, he has established 17 institutions across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, empowering thousands of students while advancing healthcare, women empowerment, and rural development.
We also feature an interaction with Vinod Singh, the Head of School and Principal of Good Shepherd International School. With over 34 years in education and more than 20 years in leadership, he champions holistic learning, student wellbeing, and academic excellence.
Joining this coveted list is also Pallavi Mishra, an accomplished education leader with over 23 years of experience in international education. As Principal of GD Goenka World School, she champions holistic, value-based education through the institution’s “THRIVE” philosophy.
Read more about these education leaders and their leadership insights in the current edition of CEOInsights Asia magazine.
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