Indian Education System Explained

Indian Education System

The Indian education system ranks among the top ten in the world and attracts thousands of international students every year to its more than 1,600 schools and universities across the country. A huge number of these are private colleges, but India also has several central and state universities as well as some of which are deemed institutes of national importance by the government. Here’s everything you need to know about the Indian education system so you can make an informed decision about your future studies abroad in India.

The Different Types of Educational Institutions

Some of the major types of Indian Education System in India are primary, secondary, and higher education. Primary education generally starts at age five or six and lasts for five years. Secondary education generally starts from the tenth standard onwards and usually lasts for three years. Higher educational establishments provide courses at different levels like graduate studies, post-graduate courses, doctoral degrees, etc. Some of these universities are deemed as being central government funded or belonging to the state government while others are privately funded by grants or endowments given by trusts and individuals.

What Are Private Colleges in India?

Private colleges in India are institutions that offer education in a wide range of courses from undergraduate courses such as MBBS, BBA, and engineering to master-level degrees such as MA, M.Sc., and Ph.D. Private colleges in India are predominantly managed by private entities but do not have commercial goals which are why they need to be approved by respective state governments before they start operating. On the other hand, government-run schools also act as universities and offer degree programs. Private colleges in India are funded by management boards with no interests or stakes in capital markets which makes them self-sufficient for all operational costs like salaries for staff, buildings, equipment, and so on.

Find a School in Any City, State, or Country

When searching for a school, the most important decision will be to pick a school that best fits your learning style. The first thing you should do is take a tour of the campus and speak with administrators about what types of students they have and what educational philosophies they have. In India, there are different types of schools such as public, private and international. Public schools are for those who can’t afford private schools or international schools, though private and international schools may provide merit scholarships.

Scholarships for Students From India

The Indian Department of Atomic Energy Scholarships can be worth up to $10,000 for students with excellent research or academic records who are conducting research related to energy. The student must be a permanent resident of India, and they must be pursuing their studies in physics, nuclear science, chemistry, biology, or mathematics. 

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship has been called one of the best-known scholarships in the world. It is awarded every year to people from all nationalities and is open not only to students but also to talented researchers and professionals who want to undertake Ph.D. studies at Cambridge University. To date, there have been 11 Indians granted Gates Scholarships since 1994 when it was first awarded.

How Do You Get Into College?

In India, all colleges are ‘Universities’ and there is no differentiation between a University and a College. There are 5 main kinds of degrees that one can pursue: bachelor’s, Masters, Doctorate, Diploma, and Certificate.

The Joint Entrance Examination or JEE is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) each year for admissions into National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and other similar institutions across India.

The Engineering Aptitude Test (EAT) exam is also conducted each year by IIT-Kanpur as well as the Indian Institute of Information Technology – Design & Manufacturing (IIIT-D&M). These exams are open to students who have completed their 10+2 level education. Admission to these institutes will be based on merit, which means that candidates will be selected based on their performance in these entrance examinations. The candidates need not necessarily have studied Engineering at the school level.

Who Can Apply for Scholarships?

Applicants must be 18 years old, current high school seniors, and college students. Applicants must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the most recent school year with at least 16 credits. International students need at least an IELTS score of 6.5 (except for Lebanon where it is 7) on all four tests: reading, writing, listening, and speaking; Or they must have an SAT or ACT score of 1500+.

Does Higher Income Equal Better Schools?

Since an individual’s income is directly related to how much they can spend on a child’s education, an income disparity between two nations may mean that wealthier families are better able to provide their children with higher quality schools and in turn better Indian Education System. However, poorer families can improve their situation by saving some of their earnings or pooling resources with other parents for financial support. Some countries have taken action against these inequalities through methods such as affirmative action programs and reducing tuition fees at public universities. The US has also attempted to close this gap by offering Pell Grants which are need-based grants that do not require repayment (poverty level requirements must be met).

How Much Does an Education Cost in India?

School education in India is completely free for children under six years of age, and primary school is free for all students. Secondary education, however, has its fair share of costs associated with it. The current annual tuition fee in most secondary schools ranges from Rs.4000-5000 ($71-$90) per student per year. This excludes miscellaneous fees that are also often charged by many institutions. For example, hostel charges usually range from Rs.1000-2000 ($16-$33) per month, while textbooks may cost around Rs.200-250 ($3-$4) each month. Thus the total estimated average annual cost of a secondary school in India stands at around Rs.6500-7000 ($108-$132).

What Do You Wear When Going To School?

In a typical Indian school, there are three dress codes you might come across – casual, semi-formal, and formal. Casual is typically worn by elementary or high school students on a day-to-day basis. Semi-formal is reserved for special occasions such as big days of school. Formal attire can be worn on any occasion. The most common uniforms are a white shirt with khaki pants for boys and a blue skirt with a white blouse for girls. School shoes should always be black lace-up shoes (not sneakers). Girls may wear either pants or skirts, but boys must wear pants. The menu at an Indian school will depend on the location of the institution. Lunch tends to include rice, roti (flatbread), vegetables, and dhal (lentils).