Quick answer: What are the best international schools in Pune in 2026? Pune's leading international options include Indus International School Pune for the IB, the two Global Indian International School campuses in Balewadi and Charholi for CBSE and international programmes, and St. Mary's School for a long-established ICSE education. Fees range roughly from INR 1.5 lakh to INR 12 lakh a year depending on school and grade.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Finding the best international schools in Pune means balancing curriculum, commute and budget in a city that has grown fast on the back of IT, automotive and manufacturing investment. Pune attracts families relocating from Mumbai, Bengaluru and abroad, and its international school sector has expanded to match, from large IB campuses on the outskirts to long-established city schools.
This guide highlights schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor, explains what makes each one stand out, and gives indicative 2026 fees so you can build a realistic shortlist.
Why Pune, and where families live
Most relocating families settle in the west and northwest of the city, in Baner, Balewadi, Aundh, Wakad and Hinjewadi, close to the IT parks, or in Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park and Viman Nagar in the east near the airport. Newer townships such as Charholi and the Pimpri-Chinchwad belt offer more space for less money.
Traffic is the biggest practical issue. Hinjewadi in particular is known for long queues at peak times, so living close to school or work saves hours each week.
A verifiable fact worth knowing: the Pune Metro opened its first stretches on 6 March 2022, and the network has been extending since. It is not yet a school commute solution for most families, but it is changing where people choose to live.
Curricula you will find
- IB (PYP, MYP and Diploma): at the leading international schools, and the most portable choice for globally mobile families.
- Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels: often offered alongside the IB at larger groups.
- ICSE and ISC: an English-medium Indian board with strong language and humanities content, respected by Indian and many foreign universities.
- CBSE: the national board, common at private schools and useful for families moving within India.
The best international schools in Pune
The schools below have verified profiles on International School Advisor with reviews and indicative prices. They represent the main international and English-medium options for relocating families.
Indus International School Pune
An IB World School on a large campus at Bhukum, west of the city, with the PYP, MYP and Diploma and boarding options. It is at the top of the Pune fee range and is often the first choice for expatriate families who want a full IB continuum.
Global Indian International School Pune - Balewadi
Part of the Singapore-headquartered GIIS network, offering CBSE alongside international programmes. Its location in Balewadi suits families working in Baner, Hinjewadi or Aundh.
Global Indian International School Pune - Charholi
The GIIS campus in the north of the city near the airport corridor and the newer Charholi townships. It shares the group's curriculum and technology focus and tends to be a little less crowded at entry points.
St. Mary's School, Pune
One of the oldest schools in the city, founded in 1866, in the Camp area. It follows the ICSE and ISC boards and has a strong academic reputation. It is not an international school in the narrow sense, but many returning and expatriate families choose it for its tradition and English-medium teaching.
Fees in Pune for 2026
Fees in Pune are lower than in Mumbai but vary widely by curriculum. Indicative 2026 annual tuition:
- ICSE and CBSE private schools: roughly INR 1.5 lakh to INR 4 lakh.
- International curricula at mid-range groups: roughly INR 3 lakh to INR 6 lakh.
- Full IB continuum schools: roughly INR 7 lakh to INR 12 lakh for day students, with boarding on top.
Extras typically include an admission or registration fee, a refundable caution deposit, transport, meals, uniforms, activity fees and exam fees for the IB Diploma or IGCSE. Ask for a full breakdown, because some schools quote tuition only.
School education provided by recognised institutions has been exempt from GST since the tax began on 1 July 2017, so tuition invoices do not usually carry GST. Some services bought from third parties, such as certain transport or catering contracts, may be taxed.
Other schools to consider
Pune has more international and English-medium schools than the four above, including well-known IB and Cambridge schools in Hinjewadi, Kharadi and Undri. If you are looking at a school without a verified profile, apply the same checks: ask for its affiliation certificates from the IB, Cambridge or the Indian boards, recent exam results, teacher qualifications and a full fee schedule.
For younger children, consider a standalone early years centre close to home and join an international school at Grade 1 or Year 2. Many Pune schools have more places at these points, and a shorter daily journey matters most for small children.
Families with children in their final two years should be careful about changing boards. Moving from CBSE to the IB Diploma, or the other way, in Grade 11 is possible but demanding, so talk to the school's counsellor before you decide.
How to decide between them
Start with the likely next move. If you are in India for two or three years before moving abroad, an IB or Cambridge programme keeps options open. If you are returning to India long term, ICSE or CBSE may give a smoother path to Indian universities and entrance exams.
Weigh the commute honestly. A school 25 kilometres away on the edge of the city can mean more than an hour each way. Several schools run buses, but long journeys still eat into sleep and after-school time.
Look beyond results. Ask about class sizes, counselling for university applications, sports facilities and how the school supports children arriving mid-year from another system. In a fast-growing city, the quality of the teaching team and its stability matter as much as the facilities.
Apply early. The Indian school year starts in April or June depending on the board, while IB schools may follow an August start. Admissions for popular entry grades open months in advance, so contact schools as soon as your move is confirmed.
Visit on a normal school day. Open days show the best side of a campus. A weekday visit during lessons tells you far more about the atmosphere, discipline and how teachers speak to children.
See the national ranking
For a wider comparison, including reviews and prices, see the ranking of the best schools in India.
More guides to schools in Pune
- International School Fees in Pune: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families
- How to Choose an International School in Pune: 2026 Family Guide
- Best schools in India: ranking
Frequently asked questions
Which Pune schools offer the IB Diploma?
Indus International School Pune offers the full IB continuum, from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma. The Global Indian International School campuses offer international programmes alongside CBSE, so check the exact grades and programmes available at each campus before applying.
How much are international school fees in Pune?
In 2026, annual tuition in Pune ranges roughly from INR 1.5 lakh at established ICSE or CBSE schools to INR 7 lakh to 12 lakh at full IB schools. Admission fees, deposits, transport and meals are extra, and boarding adds a significant amount.
When does the school year start in Pune?
Most Indian-board schools start in April or June, while international schools that follow the IB may start in August. Admissions for the main entry grades usually open between October and January, so apply several months before your planned arrival.