EducationWorld, in association with AZ Research Partners Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, has released the 19th consecutive edition of the EducationWorld India School Rankings (EWISR) 2025-26, the world’s largest and most comprehensive primary-secondary school survey. Based on the responses of 9,500 parents, principals, teachers and educationists across 34 cities, EWISR 2025-26 has rated and ranked over 4,500 schools across 518 towns and cities in India on 14–15 parameters of educational excellence.
In a major innovation this year, EducationWorld has introduced a new “Ivy League” category to celebrate the best of the best schools – institutions that have consistently dominated national rankings over the years. Unlike the traditional rank order, all Ivy League schools are placed at India #1 and further differentiated with a star rating (1–5) to highlight their inter se distinctions.
India’s Ivy League Schools 2025-26 (India #1, 5-Star)
Ivy League Day Schools
- Inventure Academy, Bengaluru – Renowned for its “Fit-for-Life” curriculum with balanced focus on academics, co-curriculars and student well-being.
- Vasant Valley School, Delhi – Acclaimed for teacher welfare and academic reputation.
- The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai – Celebrated for vintage academic excellence and distinguished alumni.
Ivy League Day-cum-Boarding School
- Daly College, Indore
Ivy League Boarding Schools
- Rishi Valley School, Chittoor
- Mayo College, Ajmer
- The Doon School, Dehradun
Ivy League International Day Schools
- Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
- Oberoi International School, Mumbai
Ivy League International Day-cum-Boarding School
- The International School Bangalore
India’s #1 Schools by Category – EWISR 2025-26
Day Schools
- The Shri Ram School, Vasant Vihar/Moulsari, Delhi – Co-ed Day School
- The Emerald Heights International School, Indore – Day-cum-Boarding
- Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls’ Public School, Jodhpur – Girls Day School
- Campion School, Fort, Mumbai – Boys Day School
Vintage Legacy Schools
- St. Michael’s High School, Patna – Co-ed Day
- Modern School, Barakhamba Road, Delhi – Day-cum-Boarding
- St. Mary’s School, Pune – Girls Day School
- St. Mary’s School, Mazgaon, Mumbai – Boys Day School
- The Lawrence School, Sanawar – Co-ed Boarding
- All Saints’ School, Nainital – Girls Boarding
- The Scindia School, Gwalior – Boys Boarding
- Kodaikanal International School – International Residential
Boarding Schools
- Sarala Birla Academy, Bengaluru (#1+) & Welham Boys School, Dehradun (#1) – Boys Boarding
- Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun (#1+) & Ecole Globale International Girls School, Dehradun (#1) – Girls Boarding
- The Assam Valley School, Balipara – Co-ed Boarding
International Schools
- Pathways School, Gurgaon – Day
- Lancers International School, Gurugram – Day-cum-Boarding
- Jain International Residential School, Bengaluru – Fully Residential
Government Schools
- Government Model Sr Sec School, Sector 16, Chandigarh – #1 State Government Day School
- Army Public School, Delhi Cantt – #1 Central Government Day School
- Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun – #1 Government Boarding School
Special Needs & Budget/Philanthropic Schools
- SPJ Sadhana School, Mumbai – #1 Special Needs School
- Mukarram Jah School, Hyderabad (#1+) & St. Mary’s School, Kalyan, Mumbai (#1) – Jointly #1 Budget Private Schools
- Pardada Pardadi School, Bulandshahr – #1 Philanthropic School
Ranking Parameters
Schools were assessed on 14 parameters of educational excellence including:
- Academic reputation
- Teacher competence
- Leadership/management quality
- Curriculum & pedagogy (hybrid learning readiness)
- Individual attention to students
- Co-curricular & sports education
- Teacher welfare & development
- Infrastructure provision
- Value for money
- Mental & emotional well-being services
- Community service & parental involvement
Additionally, legacy schools were assessed on a 15th parameter – Quality of alumni.
“Since 2007, EWISR has continuously evolved to accurately rank India’s best primary-secondary schools. The new Ivy League super nova category is a natural progression that ensures consistently top-ranked schools are celebrated as the ‘best of the best’ while allowing other schools greater visibility in national rankings. This strengthens institutional pride, fuels healthy competition, and uplifts primary-secondary education across India,” said Dilip Thakore, Founder-Editor, EducationWorld.
Ms. Shubhra Mishra, Founder-Director, AZ Research Partners, added: “By expanding our survey to 9,500 respondents across 34 cities, and adopting a structured, one-on-one interview approach, we’ve ensured greater accuracy and authenticity. The Ivy League clustering reflects the reality that elite schools often differ only marginally – it’s an innovation that enhances fairness and credibility.”
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