Quick answer: How do you choose an international school in Pune? Decide first between the IB or Cambridge and an Indian board such as CBSE or ICSE, then shortlist schools near where you will live, since Pune traffic makes commutes long. Indus International School and the two Global Indian International School campuses are good starting points. Annual fees run roughly from INR 2 lakh to 12 lakh.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
If you are relocating for a job in IT, automotive or manufacturing, knowing how to choose an international school in Pune will save you months of uncertainty. Pune has grown into one of India's largest employment hubs, and its school market has grown with it. The choice is wider than most newcomers expect, but it is also more mixed: many schools call themselves international while following an Indian board, and a few offer a truly international curriculum from start to finish.
This guide explains the curricula available, how location should shape your shortlist, which schools to visit, what they cost in rupees and the questions that tell schools apart.
Pune for families: where schools and jobs are
Pune's international and corporate life is concentrated in a few corridors. The west, around Hinjewadi, Wakad, Baner and Balewadi, hosts the big IT parks. The east, around Kharadi, Viman Nagar and Koregaon Park, is close to the airport and another cluster of tech offices. Automotive plants are spread around Chakan, Talegaon and Pimpri-Chinchwad to the north. Traffic between these areas can be heavy, so most families choose a school in the same part of the city as their workplace and home.
The monsoon from June to September also affects daily life, with slower roads and occasional disruption, which is another reason to keep the school run short.
Curricula available in Pune
- International Baccalaureate: PYP, MYP and Diploma at a small number of schools, the most portable option for families who may move again.
- Cambridge: Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A level, often offered alongside an Indian board.
- CBSE: India's national board, well suited to families who may move within India or apply to Indian universities.
- ICSE and ISC: the CISCE board, known for strong English and a broad syllabus.
International schools to visit in Pune
Indus International School Pune
Indus International School Pune is an IB school on a large residential campus to the south-west of the city, with day and boarding options. It is the natural first visit for expat families who want the full IB continuum and wide sports and leadership programmes, although the location means a longer journey from the eastern suburbs.
Global Indian International School, Balewadi
The Global Indian International School in Balewadi belongs to a Singapore-based group with schools across Asia. It sits close to the western IT belt and offers Indian board programmes together with international options. It is a practical choice for families living around Baner, Balewadi and Hinjewadi.
Global Indian International School, Charholi
The GIIS campus in Charholi serves the north-east of the city, near the airport and the Alandi road. It is worth considering if your work is in Kharadi, Viman Nagar or the northern industrial areas.
St. Mary's School, Pune
St. Mary's School is one of Pune's oldest schools, in the leafy Camp area, with a long tradition in English-medium education under the ICSE board. It can suit families who want a well-established school with strong academics. Ask directly which international qualifications are currently offered.
What international schools in Pune cost
Fee levels depend strongly on the curriculum. As a rough guide for the 2026 to 2027 year:
- CBSE or ICSE schools with international features: roughly INR 1.5 lakh to 4 lakh a year.
- Cambridge programmes: roughly INR 3 lakh to 7 lakh a year.
- IB schools, day students: roughly INR 6 lakh to 12 lakh a year, more in the Diploma years or with boarding.
Extras to add:
- Admission or registration fees and refundable caution deposits.
- Transport, which can be significant given Pune's distances.
- Meals, uniforms, books, devices and activity fees.
- Cambridge or IB examination fees in the final years.
One detail helps with budgeting. Under India's GST rules, education services provided by schools up to higher secondary level are exempt from GST, so tuition itself is not taxed. Some add-ons bought from third parties, such as certain transport or catering arrangements, may be treated differently, so ask for an itemised fee schedule.
Practical advice for families
Choose the board before the building. Families often fall for a campus and only later realise the curriculum does not match their plans. If you expect to leave India in two or three years, favour the IB or Cambridge. If you may stay long term or move to another Indian city, CBSE is the most portable Indian board.
Map the commute at school time. Drive the route between your likely home and each school at 7:30 in the morning. A school that looks close can be an hour away in traffic, especially in the monsoon.
Ask about admissions timing. The Indian academic year usually starts in April or June, while IB and Cambridge schools may follow a different pattern. Popular schools open applications many months ahead, so contact them as soon as your move is confirmed.
Check support for new arrivals. Ask how the school helps children who arrive from another system with Hindi or Marathi lessons, catch-up classes and a buddy programme.
Questions to ask on a school visit in Pune
- Which board does each grade follow? Some schools run Cambridge in primary and switch to CBSE or ICSE later, or the other way round. Ask for the full pathway from your child's current grade to graduation.
- How many international students are enrolled? The share of foreign and returning Indian families tells you how used the school is to children who arrive mid-way through their education.
- Which languages are compulsory? Indian boards usually require a second and sometimes a third language. Ask whether foreign students can take French, Spanish or German instead of Hindi or Marathi.
- What is included in the fee? Request the full annual schedule with transport, meals and activities, so you can compare schools on the same basis.
Write down the answers after each visit and compare schools on curriculum, commute, language rules and total cost. The right choice is usually obvious once the facts sit side by side.
Compare the best schools in India
To read parent reviews and compare Pune schools with others across the country, visit the ranking of the best schools in India.
More guides to schools in Pune
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best curriculum for expat children in Pune?
If you expect to move again within a few years, the IB or Cambridge programmes are the most portable, and Indus International School is the main full IB option. If you plan to stay in India or move between Indian cities, CBSE offers the easiest transfers. ICSE is valued for its strong English and broad syllabus.
Where should expat families live in Pune for good schools?
Families working in the IT parks often live in Baner, Balewadi, Wakad or Hinjewadi, close to the western schools. Those working near the airport choose Kharadi, Viman Nagar or Koregaon Park. Pick the school and the neighbourhood together, because traffic makes long cross-city commutes tiring for children.
How much do international schools in Pune cost?
Indian board schools with international features cost roughly INR 1.5 lakh to 4 lakh a year, Cambridge programmes roughly INR 3 lakh to 7 lakh, and IB day places roughly INR 6 lakh to 12 lakh. Add admission fees, deposits, transport, meals, uniforms and exam fees when comparing schools.