Chandigarh’s Education Costs Soar: Students Face 5x National Average

Families in Chandigarh are facing staggering education costs, with average annual expenditures reaching Rs 49,711 per student. This figure is more than five times the national average of Rs 12,616, according to the recently released Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education 2025 by the National Statistical Office (NSO). The findings reveal significant financial pressures on families in the region, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

The survey highlights that families in Punjab and Haryana are already spending close to twice the national average on schooling. Specifically, annual household expenses average Rs 22,692 in Punjab, Rs 25,720 in Haryana, and Rs 18,305 in Himachal Pradesh. Notably, Chandigarh’s education costs are particularly striking, placing it as the city with the highest educational expenditure in India.

Regional Spending Trends in Education

The disparity in educational expenditure is evident across urban and rural areas in these states. In Punjab, urban families spend an average of Rs 25,506 per student, while rural families spend Rs 20,523. In Haryana, urban spending reaches Rs 37,148, significantly higher than the rural average. In contrast, Himachal Pradesh shows a lower overall average of Rs 18,305, but its urban costs are substantial at Rs 39,550, second only to Chandigarh.

The survey encompassed a wide-reaching sample across 102 first-stage units in Punjab, involving 1,215 households and representing 2,711 individuals in rural areas and 2,541 in urban areas. In Haryana, 97 first-stage units were surveyed with 1,162 households, while Himachal Pradesh included data from 45 first-stage units and 515 households.

Spending varies significantly by school type. In government schools, Chandigarh’s per-student expenditure stands at Rs 5,480, marginally higher than Punjab’s Rs 5,201 and both exceeding the national average of Rs 2,863. However, Himachal Pradesh leads with a per-student expenditure of Rs 6,009. Private unaided schools in Chandigarh command the highest fees in the country at an astonishing Rs 79,006 per student, while Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh report Rs 43,915, Rs 39,015, and Rs 39,145 respectively, all against a national average of Rs 28,693.

The Financial Burden on Families

The survey reveals that course fees constitute the largest share of educational expenses. In Chandigarh, families allocate an average of Rs 36,132 on fees alone. Additional costs include Rs 6,458 for transportation, Rs 2,491 on textbooks and stationery, Rs 3,980 on uniforms, and Rs 651 for miscellaneous expenses. In Punjab, course fees average Rs 13,205, with families spending Rs 3,736 on transportation and Rs 3,251 on textbooks and stationery.

The reliance on household funding for education is overwhelming. In Chandigarh, all educational spending is borne by families. Punjab records a 95.4% dependence on household resources, while Haryana reports the highest reliance at 98.5%. Himachal Pradesh shows 94% dependency, echoing the national trend where 95% of students rely on their families for educational financing.

With private coaching adding another layer to education costs, approximately 32.9% of students in Chandigarh engage in tuition, compared to 26.8% in Punjab. The average expenditure on coaching in Chandigarh is Rs 17,196, the second highest in India after Arunachal Pradesh, while Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh report Rs 6,525, Rs 12,392, and Rs 5,831, respectively.

These findings underscore the increasing financial burden on families in Chandigarh and surrounding regions, raising significant concerns about accessibility and equity in education.