Is nursery admission as competitive as IIT-JEE?
Fees vary wildly, but in Tier-1 metros:Delhi top-tier schools: 2.5–6 lakh per year (20,000–50,000 per month) + admission charges up to 1.5 lakh.Mumbai IB schools: 4–10 lakh per year, with 'infrastructure' and 'development' fees upfront.Bengaluru premium schools: 2–4 lakh annually, rising sharply in higher classes.On top of this come uniforms, books, activity charges, and transport. Parents report first-year bills touching 7–8 lakh in premium setups. One Gurgaon parent summed it up bluntly: 'My MBA cost less than what I will end up paying for my daughter's nursery to Class 5.'
Parents complain the 'sibling-alumni advantage' makes elite schools near-impossible for first-time entrants. 'Unless you already have one child inside, it feels like a closed club,' says Neha Kapoor, whose son was rejected from all six schools they applied to.PARENT QUALIFICATIONS: THE PHANTOM FILTERWhile Delhi banned 'unfair criteria' like mother's education or parents' job profiles years ago, many forms still ask for details. Parents fear bias even if it's not officially used.'I was asked about my occupation in three schools,' says Rahul Khanna, an IT professional. 'Even if they claim it doesn't matter, as a parent you're constantly second-guessing: Am I educated enough? "Do I earn enough for them to consider me?'THE STRESS: A FAMILY AFFAIRadvertisementNursery admissions are not just about children they become a family-wide project , parents relocating homes to qualify under the distance criterion. Mothers quitting jobs to 'spend more time' on application prep.Couples postponing or timing second children to take advantage.Psychologists warn of a deeper problem. 'We are transferring competitive anxiety from teenagers to toddlers,' says child counsellor Dr. Anjali Verma. 'Parents come to me with panic attacks because their three-year-old didn't make it into a particular school. This is unhealthy, and it trickles down to the child.'THE ALTERNATIVE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE RISEInterestingly, government-run 'model schools' (Delhi SoSE, PM SHRI, etc.) are seeing record applications—tens of thousands for a few thousand seats. For middle-class families priced out of private options, these are becoming lifelines.THE TAKEAWAY FOR PARENTSadvertisementDo the math early: Check point systems and distance before applying.Apply wide: Most parents apply to 8–12 schools; don't pin hopes on one.Budget realistically: Tuition is just the start—add 30–40% for extras.Don't panic over rejection: Lottery-driven systems are unpredictable.- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
MCD Standing Committee reviews gaushalas, dog shelters and sanitation issues
Agency: New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) The Standing Committee of the MCD on Wednesday held discussions and issued directions on key issues to strengthen civic amenities, sanitation and public welfare. Ranging from cow dung cakes and garbage management to stray cattle, dog shelters, plastic-free measures and mechanical road sweeping machines, several issues were discussed during the meeting. Chaired by Standing Committee chief Satya Sharma, the meeting emphasised that the corporation's responsibility was not confined to garbage management but also extended to ensuring citizens' access to basic facilities, a safe environment and quality education. She stressed that grievances raised by councillors must be addressed with accountability and directed officials to respond in a timely and effective manner. The committee instructed that all public toilets under the MCD be given special attention for cleanliness and repair. It was also decided that the building plan approval process would be made simpler and more transparent so that citizens with duly sanctioned plans do not face unnecessary harassment. The civic body further underlined the need for regular inspections of swimming pools under its jurisdiction to avoid accidents, while calling for strict action against illegal spa centres running without licences. The meeting, which lasted over five hours, saw councillors voicing concerns on issues ranging from the poor condition of stray cattle to the management of stray dogs in the city. Some members suggested that, in view of the shortage of 'gaushalas', cows could be sent to other states until proper shelters are set up in Delhi. 'When cows are not being looked after properly, how will the corporation manage dog shelters?" Garbage management and plastic-free measures also featured prominently, with members demanding stricter monitoring of waste disposal and tougher enforcement against plastic use. Heated arguments broke out between a councillor and an official over certain allegations during the proceedings. At the beginning of the meeting, the corporation also presented details on the use of mechanical road sweeping machines. According to documents, the MCD has a total of 52 such machines deployed across its zones, spending nearly Rs 2 crore annually on their operation. The Central and Rohini zones have been allotted seven machines each, while Shahdara (South) has six. Each machine is operated by a driver and a helper, with attendance tracked through geo-tagging and the Swachh Bharat Mission (e-SBM) portal. Of the 52 machines, 24 are run in two shifts to ensure daily cleaning of major roads. Additionally, the corporation owns 12 smaller road sweeping machines of 4.5 cubic metre capacity, which are being used in areas such as Karol Bagh, Rohini, Central Zone and Najafgarh. A major proposal approved in the meeting was to make MCD's community halls available for skill development and vocational training. Sharma informed that the corporation has 278 community halls, of which 122 remain vacant or underutilised. These will now be opened between 3 pm and 8 pm to provide employment-oriented training, particularly for local youth and women. Describing the discussions as positive and solution-oriented, Sharma said several important suggestions from councillors were incorporated into the resolutions. She asserted that the MCD was committed to delivering civic convenience and maintaining a clean environment, while warning officials that negligence in matters of public interest would not be tolerated. PTI NSM AMJ AMJ (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 20, 2025, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds MCD Standing Committee reviews gaushalas, dog shelters and sanitation issues Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Earthquake of magnitude 4.2 strikes Myanmar
Yangon [Myanmar], August 20 (ANI): An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck Myanmar on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) a post on X, NCS said that the earthquake occured at a depth of 10km. 'EQ of M: 4.2, On: 20/08/2025 18:16:29 IST, Lat: 16.38 N, Long: 95.89 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Myanmar," NCS wrote on X. Earlier on July 27, an earthquake of magnitude 3.6 struck per the statement, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 161 a post on X, the NCS said, 'EQ of M: 3.6, On: 27/07/2025 10:45:44 IST, Lat: 22.81 N, Long: 95.51 E, Depth: 161 Km, Location: Myanmar."Another earthquake of magnitude 3.8 struck the region on the same the details on X, the NCS said, 'EQ of M: 3.8, On: 27/07/2025 00:35:35 IST, Lat: 24.48 N, Long: 94.58 E, Depth: 75 Km, Location: Myanmar."Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes, including tsunami hazards along its long coastline. Myanmar is wedged between four tectonic plates (the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates) that interact in active geological processes. A 1,400-kilometre transform fault runs through Myanmar and connects the Andaman spreading center to a collision zone in the north called the Sagaing Fault. The Sagaing Fault elevates the seismic hazard for Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together represent 46 per cent of the population of Myanmar. Although Yangon is relatively far from the fault trace, it still suffers from significant risk due to its dense population. For instance, in 1903, an intense earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 that occurred in Bago also struck Yangon. (ANI)
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Alliance University Hosts Immersion Programme for Alliance PU College Students
Bengaluru: Alliance University organized a special Immersion Program for the students of Alliance Pre-University College on Wednesday, aimed at inspiring young learners, strengthening their academic orientation, and preparing them for future career paths. The program was inaugurated in the presence of distinguished leaders of Alliance University, Abhay G. Chebbi, Pro-Chancellor; Dr. B. Priestly Shan, Vice-Chancellor; Surekha Shetty, Registrar General; and Principal of Alliance Pre-University College, Dr. B.H.S. Thimmappa. Welcoming the gathering, Surekha Shetty highlighted the vision behind establishing the Pre-University College with a unique academic approach. She urged students to maintain a positive mindset, excel in their pursuits, and uphold values of resilience and determination. In his keynote address, Abhay G. Chebbi emphasized three core values—Attitude, Aptitude, and Solitude—as cornerstones of success. He spoke on the importance of health as the foundation of growth and reassured students of the University's support in preparing them for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, and CA Foundation. Drawing from his own academic journey, he encouraged learners to pursue their aspirations with passion and determination. Dr. B. Priestly Shan in his address motivated students to set ambitious goals, acquire multiple skills, and remain focused while avoiding distractions. He reiterated the University's commitment to helping students realize their potential and achieve their career dreams. Dr. B.H.S. Thimmappa congratulated students on their commendable performances in competitive exams and inspired them to continue their pursuit of academic and personal excellence. The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Deepthi K.N., a student representative, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, faculty, and peers for their encouragement. Alliance Education is not just about academic success but about shaping resilient, skilled, and confident individuals. Students are oriented to excel in academics, overcome life's challenges, and build meaningful careers. Such Immersion Programs reflect on the mission of Alliance University to nurture young learners through a blend of holistic development and skill enhancement.
