School Tuition Fee Hike 2026: School fees strain budgets; tuition charges see the sharpest rise

School Tuition Fee Hike 2026: Amidst ongoing protests regarding the NEET paper leak, another concern related to education has emerged. The cost of children’s education is steadily rising, and the impact is now directly affecting parents’ pockets. Data shows that the sharpest rise in tuition fees has occurred at the school level.

Fees for primary and higher secondary schools have risen more rapidly than those for higher education. Meanwhile, data regarding fees for coaching and tuition centers has revealed figures that differ from public perception. Let us examine the data on rising education costs and the extent to which educational expenses have increased.

Sharpest Rise in Tuition Fees at the School Level

According to the data, retail inflation related to educational services remained below 4 percent in the first half of 2026. However, the rate of fee increases varied across different levels of education. During this period, tuition fees for higher education saw an increase of approximately 3.5 to 4 percent. This rise was roughly on par with fee inflation at the middle school level, whereas the increase at the primary school level was lower.

Significant Long-Term Rise in School Fees

When compared to 2024, a more substantial hike in fees was observed at the school level. Data indicates that tuition fees for primary and higher secondary schools rose by 6 to 9 percent in the first six months of 2026. In contrast, tuition fees for higher education increased by 4 to 6 percent during the same period. Consequently, the rate of fee hikes at the school level over the past two years has outpaced that of colleges and universities.

A different picture emerges regarding coaching and tuition centers

The report also reveals that the common perception regarding fees at coaching and tuition centers is not entirely accurate. According to the data, fees at these centers saw an increase of only 3 to 4 percent compared to the 2024 base year. During this period, the rise in their fees was lower than that of schools.