New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- For Noida-based Neha Pandey, shelling out about Rs.2.5 lakh annually on the education of her nine-year-old daughter, enrolled in class IV, is not an easy expense-but high competition and an ever-evolving job market leave her with little choice. In addition to the school's academic and extracurricular activities, private tuitions add to the costs.

While Pandey, whose household income can be up to Rs.15 lakh per year, is among the top earners in the country, the trend of paying a premium for better education through private schools, colleges and coaching is quite common in India, especially in urban areas.

The results of a new survey, The Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (April-June 2025), released late last m...