Some schools are remembered for their results, while others are known for the people who sat in their class. Across India, a few institutions have built a strong reputation over decades because many of their former students have gone on to become Prime Ministers, billionaires, CEOs, actors, writers and members of royal families. Here are some of the schools that have educated some of India’s most famous personalities. U Doon Schoolin Dehradun is one of the best known boarding schools in the country. Since its opening in 1935, it has produced leaders in politics, business, journalism, literature and sports. Its alumni include former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Max Group founder Analjit Singh, Hero Enterprise chairman Sunil Kant Munjal, Eicher Motors managing director Siddhartha Lal, Booker Prize-winning author Amitav Ghosh, journalist and Olympic journalist Vikram Karan Tharannoy, journalist and Olympic journalist Abhinav Bindra, and artist Anish Kapoor.
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Founded in 1875, Mayo College in Ajmer was originally established to educate the children of the princely states of India. Today, it is one of the most recognized boarding schools in the country. Over the years, he has educated members of the royal families of many former princely states. Its notable alumni include former Foreign Minister K. Natwar Singh, diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, actor Vivek Oberoi, former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, writer Indra Sinha, and Hari Singh, the last Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Another historical institution is The School of Scindia in Gwalior. Established in 1897 in the Gwalior Fort, it first served princes and noble families before opening admission to students from various backgrounds. Its alumni include filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, actor Salman Khan, several members of former royal families and business leaders.
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Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun educated many women who later entered public life, politics and entertainment. Its alumni include Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and actor Manisha Koirala.
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of MumbaiCathedral and the John Connon School iIt is one of the oldest schools in India and has a long list of famous alumni. Among them too Kumar Mangalam Birlachairman of the Aditya Birla Group, actor Aamir Khan, writer Shobhaa De and actor Kabir Bedi.
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St. Paul School in Darjeeling has also produced many prominent personalities over the years. His alumni include Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, executive chairman of EIH Limited and the Oberoi Group, surgeon Samiran Nundy and economist Rehman Sobhan.
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Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, one of the oldest boarding schools in Asia, has educated many military officers, civil servants, business leaders and sportsmen. Meanwhile, Woodstock School in Mussoorie, which follows an international curriculum, counts TED curator Chris Anderson and author Gita Mehta among its alumni.
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Can an ordinary student get into these schools?
Schools like The Doon School, Mayo College, The Scindia School and Welham Girls’ School represent the highest standard of school education in India. With a history of decades, these institutions are known for their academic excellence, boarding facilities, sports infrastructure and influential alumni. They also rank among the most expensive schools in the country, with annual fees running into several lakh rupees depending on class, boarding status and other charges.However, studying in these schools is not limited to children from rich families, business houses or royal backgrounds. Most schools have a formal admission process that is open to eligible students from across India and abroad. Depending on the institution, applicants are required to complete an entrance exam, attend an interview or interaction, and meet the prescribed age and academic eligibility criteria.Admission is very competitive because the number of places is limited, especially in popular entry classes. Many of these schools also offer merit-based scholarships, need-based financial assistance or fee waivers to deserving students. While the eligibility and selection process varies from one school to another, admission is based on the school’s criteria regarding family background or social status.
