Top 10 Leaders in Residential Schools from India

Dasari Murali Krishna, Founder Chairman, Krishna Vikash Group
Dasari Murali Krishna: Transforming Lives through Education and Social Impact

International residential schools play a vital role in shaping future-ready global citizens by combining academic excellence with character development, leadership training, and immersive residential learning. The success of such institutions often depends on visionary leaders who can integrate educational innovation with social responsibility. Among them, Dasari Murali Krishna, Founder Chairman of the Krishna Vikash Group (formerly Vikash Group), stands out as a distinguished educationist, entrepreneur, and social reformer who has dedicated more than two decades to transforming lives through education, healthcare, and community development.
The life journey of Dasari Murali Krishna is both inspiring and transformative. Having lost his father at a very young age, he faced severe hardships during childhood, including selling milk doorto- door to support his family.

International Residential Schools Offering Global Career Opportunities & Experiential Learning
By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor
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.

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Top 10 Leaders in Residential Schools from India - 2026

India's international residential school market 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. Once concentrated in major metropolitan cities, international residential schools are now expanding into Tier II cities as demand broadens beyond traditional affluent households.

India is now home to approximately 972 international schools, making it the second-largest international school market in the world. The number of international schools has grown from 884 in 2019 to 972 in 2025, reflecting strong and sustained demand for global education. The International Baccalaureate segment has expanded particularly rapidly, with the number of IB schools increasing from just 11 in 2003 to 245 in 2025, while Cambridge-affiliated schools have also seen significant growth. Premium residential schools offering international curricula are benefiting from rising aspirations for overseas higher education, global career opportunities, and experiential learning.

As families place greater emphasis on globally competitive education and all-round development, international residential schools are poised to remain one of the fastest-growing segments of India's premium K-12 education landscape.

CEO Insights Asia magazine in this issue presents a list of 'Top 10 Leaders in Residential Schools from India - 2026' who have leveraged their extensive industry expertise and experience in offering effective skills to the market. The following list has been prepared after being closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of judges including CXOs, analysts and our editorial board. We recognize their valuable contribution to the ever expanding and competitive market and their ability to sustain themselves and emerge as top contestants through their reliable knowledge.

Top 10 Leaders in Residential Schools from India - 2026

Company Management	Company Name	Company Description
Anish Xavier, Principal	De Paul International Residential School	He oversees various aspects of the campus, including academic leadership, administration, faculty and staff management, student support, industry partnerships, accreditation, and community engagement
Dasari Murali Krishna, Founder Chairman	Krishna Vikash Group	With over two decades of experience, he has advanced education and community development while contributing to healthcare, tourism, and social welfare, emerging as a key driver of inclusive development in eastern India
Dr John Abraham, Principal	Amber Valley Residential School	An experienced Teacher, HOD, and Dean with over three decades of teaching experience, who has also served as an Academic Supervisor and House Master with distinction
Pallavi Mishra, Principal	GD Goenka World School	With over 23 years of experience in international education, her leadership philosophy centers on active listening, understanding people, fostering collaboration, and aligning teams toward a shared vision and lasting success
Rakesh Kumar, Principal	Shiva International Residential School	He specializes in academic planning, teacher mentoring, and student-centered learning, driving educational excellence through innovative leadership, strategic collaboration, and 17 years of academic experience
Sanjeeva Kumar Sinha, Principal	Jain International Residential School	He has 20 years of experience in teaching and educational administration, specializing in curriculum development, teaching methodologies, CCE, and assessment practices across national and international boards
Shanthini Jerald, Principal	Jnanasarovara International Residential School	With over 25 years of experience in education, she has fostered a supportive, academically enriching environment, guiding students from early childhood through higher grades with excellence
Shyamashree Chatterjee, Principal	BGS International Residential School	She brings over a decade of experience as a Principal across premier institutions, specializing in raising academic standards, fostering inclusive learning, driving curriculum innovation, strengthening teacher training, and ensuring operational excellence
Suchismita Chowdhury, Head - Global Dimensions	SAI International Residential School	Bringing 16+ years of progressive experience in education management, global school programs, academic operations, institutional partnerships, and corporate management, with expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, operational excellence, and team leadership
Vinod Singh, Head of School & Principal	Good Shepherd International School	He brings over 34 years of educational experience and 20 years of leadership, championing holistic learning, student wellbeing, and academic excellence through a student-centered vision

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