Education Costs Skyrocket: LKG Fees Rise Up to Rs 3.7 Lakh, Outpacing Other Inflation Rates

A Bengaluru-based investor has highlighted the dramatic rise in lower kindergarten (LKG) fees in Hyderabad, claiming that real inflation is occurring in education rather than real estate. According to Aviral Bhatnagar, LKG fees have surged to ₹3.7 lakh per annum from ₹2.3 lakh. He did not specify the school but suggested that this increase reflects a broader national trend.

Bhatnagar, founder of A Junior VC, pointed out that, when adjusted for inflation, school fees have increased ninefold over the past 30 years. The situation is even more severe for higher education, with fees rising 20 times in the same period. His social media post on X underscores the disparity between the inflation seen in education versus other sectors like real estate.

The investor concluded that “education is no more affordable,” sparking discussions on social media about the cost of living and inflation. Manoj Arora noted that food, health, and education account for 70% of the expenses of an average middle-class family, with these costs inflating at rates of 10-20% annually, compared to the government’s reported Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation of 3-4%.

Some X users pointed out that the annual fee for LKG is comparable to or exceeds the cost-to-company (CTC) of entry-level positions at companies like Cognizant, which has been criticized for offering wages that many consider insufficient. User Gaurav echoed Bhatnagar’s concerns, highlighting the “massive and mindless inflation” in education and healthcare, while another user criticized the shift of education into a business model rather than a focus on critical thinking and evolution.