Bilingual Schools in Mumbai: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Which bilingual schools are there in Mumbai in 2026? Mumbai's clearest bilingual option is DSB International School, which combines German and English. Most other international schools, such as the American School of Bombay and Oberoi International, teach in English with French, Spanish, Hindi or Marathi as additional languages. Maharashtra requires Marathi teaching in schools, so expect three languages in most programmes.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Looking for bilingual schools in Mumbai means thinking about language differently from Europe or Latin America. In India, almost every private school is at least bilingual, because English sits alongside Hindi, Marathi and often a third language. For expatriate families, the real question is which languages your child will learn, how much of the day is taught in each and how that fits with your plans after Mumbai.

This guide explains how languages work in Mumbai schools, highlights schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor and gives indicative 2026 fees and practical tips.

How languages work in Mumbai schools

Indian education policy has long followed a three-language formula, reaffirmed in the National Education Policy 2020, which encourages children to learn their mother tongue or regional language, Hindi or English, and a third language. International schools follow their own programmes but still have to work within state rules.

A verifiable fact worth knowing: Maharashtra's Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act, 2020 made Marathi a compulsory subject in schools across the state, including those following CBSE, ICSE and international boards, phased in by grade. International schools apply it in different ways, often with beginner-level Marathi for non-Indian students, so ask each school how it is taught.

For expatriate families this means that even an English-medium international school will usually offer, and sometimes require, more than one additional language.

Types of bilingual and multilingual programmes

German and English: an English-medium programme with a strong German-language strand, as at the German-founded school in the city.
English-medium IB schools with a strong language programme: IB Language B options in French, Spanish, German, Hindi or Mandarin, plus mother-tongue support.
Indian-board schools (ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE): English-medium with Hindi and Marathi as compulsory second and third languages.
Early years bilingual programmes: preschools that introduce a second language through play.

When you compare schools, ask how many hours a week are taught in each language at your child's age, and what level children are expected to reach by the end of primary. A school that offers French once a week is not bilingual in the European sense, even if it describes itself as multilingual, while a programme with several subjects taught in a second language is. Being precise about this avoids disappointment later.

Bilingual and multilingual schools in Mumbai

These schools have verified profiles on International School Advisor with reviews and indicative prices.

DSB International School

Founded as the Deutsche Schule Bombay, it keeps a strong German-language programme alongside an English-medium IB curriculum. It suits German-speaking families and children who want to keep German at a high level while studying for the IB.

American School of Bombay

An English-medium school in Bandra Kurla Complex with the IB Diploma and a strong world languages department. Children can add languages such as French, Spanish or Hindi, and the school supports students whose home language is not English.

Oberoi International School

An IB continuum school in Goregaon with two campuses. It offers several Language B options and mother-tongue programmes, which makes it a good fit for multilingual families who want structured support in more than one language.

Bombay International School

A long-established school in Babulnath with IGCSE and IB. It combines English-medium teaching with Hindi and Marathi and a warm, smaller-school feel.

Aditya Birla World Academy

A Cambridge and IB school in Tardeo, in south Mumbai. It offers several foreign languages alongside Hindi and is popular with families who want an academically demanding programme close to the business district.

Fees for bilingual and international schools in 2026

Mumbai is India's most expensive city for international education. Indicative 2026 annual tuition:

Indian-board private schools with strong English: roughly INR 2 lakh to INR 6 lakh.
IGCSE and IB schools: roughly INR 6 lakh to INR 20 lakh depending on grade.
Top international schools: can exceed INR 20 lakh in the Diploma years, and some quote fees in US dollars for expatriate families.

Extras include registration and admission fees, refundable deposits, transport, meals, uniforms, trips and exam fees. Language tutoring outside school is also a common additional cost for families who want faster progress in Marathi or Hindi.

Tuition at recognised schools has been exempt from GST since the tax started on 1 July 2017, so school invoices normally carry no GST on tuition itself.

Practical tips for choosing a bilingual school in Mumbai

Be clear about your goal. If you want your child to stay fluent in German, a school with a strong German programme is the right choice. If you want English plus some exposure to a new language, an IB school with a good Language B programme will usually be enough.

Ask how local languages are taught to newcomers. Many schools offer beginner Marathi and Hindi for foreign students, while others place children in mixed-level groups. The approach makes a big difference in the first year.

Plan the commute carefully. Mumbai traffic is severe, and a school across the city can mean two hours a day on the road. Families often choose between the south Mumbai schools, the Bandra and BKC schools and the suburban campuses in Goregaon, Powai and beyond, and then rent close by.

Keep the home language alive. If your family speaks a language other than English at home, ask about mother-tongue classes. Several IB schools run them, sometimes with a small extra fee.

Other options for multilingual families

Beyond the schools above, Mumbai has a growing number of IB and Cambridge schools in the suburbs, and preschools that offer French, Spanish or Mandarin through play. The Alliance Française, the Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan and the Instituto Cervantes in the city run weekend and after-school classes for children, which many families combine with an English-medium school.

For long stays, some families move children from an international school to an Indian-board school at secondary level to strengthen Hindi and Marathi before entrance exams. If that is your plan, talk to both schools early so the change is as smooth as possible.

Compare schools in the national ranking

See how these schools compare in the ranking of the best schools in India, with reviews and prices.

More guides to schools in Mumbai

Frequently asked questions

Is there a German-English bilingual school in Mumbai?

Yes. DSB International School, founded as the Deutsche Schule Bombay, keeps a strong German-language programme alongside an English-medium IB curriculum. It is the main option in Mumbai for families who want to keep German at a high level while following an international curriculum.

Do international schools in Mumbai teach Marathi?

Yes, in most cases. Maharashtra's 2020 law made Marathi a compulsory subject in schools across the state, including CBSE, ICSE and international boards, phased in by grade. International schools often offer beginner-level Marathi for foreign students, so ask each school how it applies the rule.

How much do bilingual and international schools in Mumbai cost?

In 2026, Indian-board private schools cost roughly INR 2 lakh to INR 6 lakh a year, while IGCSE and IB schools range from about INR 6 lakh to INR 20 lakh or more. Add admission fees, deposits, transport, meals and exam fees.