The annual EducationWorld Grand Jury India School Rankings (estb. 2016) acknowledge and felicitate schools that excel under parameters other than the 14 under which schools are rated and ranked in the annual EducationWorld India School Rankings based on field interviews countrywide. The Grand Jury Rankings are adjudged by a jury of eminent educationists.

In June-July advertisements on our website (www.educationworld.in) and social media invited nominations  — including self-nomination — under separate and distinct parameters including excellence in learning assessment, design thinking, campus architecture and design, technology integration, extraordinary leadership, social impact, etc, with documentary proof of  best practices and achievement. By the closing date (August 30, 2025), 2,000 nominations were received.

On the basis of information provided by nominated schools and their own domain knowledge, a  specially constituted Grand Jury comprising eminent educationists Fatema Agarkar, founder of Agarkar Centre for Excellence, Mumbai; Sumer Singh, patron, Boarding Schools Association of India (BSAI); Rohit Mahindra, director of The Mumbai-based Raj Mohindra Consultatnts Pvt. Ltd; Damodar Prasad Goyal, President, Society of Unaided Private Schools of Rajasthan and Michigan-based Raymond Ravaglia, co-founder, AccessUSA, ranked Top 10 schools in each category. The Top 10 EW Grand Jury India School Rankings 2025-26 are published in the following pages.

Career & Future Pathways Empowerment
Celebrates best-in-class career guidance and counseling, university readiness programs, and exposure to emerging professions and global opportunities.

“We are delighted to be ranked #1 in the Career and Future Pathways Empowerment category. I attribute our top rank to the robust career guidance programme designed by our full-time careers and university guidance counsellors. Our experienced counsellors offer professional guidance on university and career pathways through individualised sessions. Student aspirants to the world’s top-ranked universities are offered intensive prep and guidance. Students also benefit from using specially curated AI-based career advisory tools. Moreover, we have several signed partnerships with universities globally and organize an Annual University Fair that attracts participation of over 300 universities worldwide, offering our students opportunity to interact with their representatives.” — Ian Davies, Head of School, Garodia International Centre for Learning, Mumbai

Learning Assessment & Outcomes Excellence
Schools leveraging data, conducting holistic assessments, and tracking progress to significantly enhance student learning outcomes.

“We thank the EducationWorld Grand Jury for ranking us India’s #1 school for Learning Assessment and Outcome Excellence. Our carefully designed comprehensive 360-degree assessment system combines formative and summative evaluations, diagnostic tools, technology-enabled assessment and rubric-based grading to ensure fair and insightful measurement of students’ progress. For instance, students are also evaluated for research projects and collaborative problem-solving tasks that connect classroom concepts to real-world contexts. Moreover, our teachers receive continuous professional development to design innovative assessment formats that measure student progress while diagnosing learning gaps to guide effective remedial learning.” — Rupika Nath (centre left), Acting Principal, South City International School, Kolkata (1,800 students, 137 teachers)

India’s Most Admired K-12 Education Brand
Acknowledges schools/ school chains with national visibility, consistent excellence, high parent satisfaction, and community trust.

“We are honoured to be judged India’s Most Respected Education Brand.  We attribute this honour to the synergy of our innovative LRPAX — Learn, Reinforce, Practice, Apply, and Xperience — ecosystem, our dedicated educators, and the enduring partnership and trust of our parent community. Every EuroSchool campus is designed to cultivate students’ curiosity, confidence, and character through a curriculum that blends academics with programs in sports, performing arts and experiential learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, our Centre of Well-being and Social-Emotional Learning ensures that our students develop emotional resilience. With 17 campuses across India and three more set to open in 2026, we are fully committed to delivering educational excellence rooted in innovation and holistic development.” — Euro School Team Spokesperson (17 schools, 30,000 students, 1,800 teachers)

Design Thinking & Experiential Learning Leaders
Schools that encourage creative problem-solving, student-led innovation, experiential learning and entrepreneurial thinking through real-world applications.

“We are honoured to be conferred this award. It’s a validation of our educational philosophy which rests on the belief that teaching-learning must develop students’ curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. At the Palace School, we have embedded experiential learning and design thinking into the curriculum and pedagogy, encouraging students to engage in hands-on projects to ideate solutions to address real-world problems. Our well-trained teachers encourage students to apply design thinking principles — observation, imagination, collaboration and problem-solving — to make learning meaningful, reflective, and transformative. For instance, under our ‘Education Through Monuments’ project, students explore Jaipur’s historic monuments and research their architectural, historical, and cultural significance, and follow up by writing textbooks integrating insights from history, art, science, and geography.” — Urvashi Warman, Principal, The Palace School, Jaipur (1,200 students and 112 teachers)

High Happiness & Well-being Champion
Recognises K-12 institutions that prioritise student and staff well-being, socio-emotional learning, and developing joyful schooling environments.

“We are delighted that an eminent EW Grand Jury has judged us India #1 in the High Happiness & Well-being category. At DPS Rajpura, our topmost priority is ensuring our children’s happiness and emotional well-being. To this end, we have introduced mindfulness sessions, peer-support programs, social-emotional learning workshops, and provide counseling support to our students. For teachers, we regularly organise emotional well-being programs and have introduced a unique Self-Care Leave for all staff because we believe happy teachers inspire happy learners. Moreover, on campus, there’s a huge Graffiti Wall on which students are free to express what happiness means to them. It’s very reassuring that your Grand Jury has acknowledged our efforts to embed student happiness and well-being into our school culture.” — Geetika Chandra, Principal, DPS Rajpura (931 students and 51 teachers)

Great Schools for Teaching-Learning
Institutions that support educators through professional training and inclusive staff welfare policies while enriching student experiences.

“This is a proud moment for us. As a school of the Reliance Foundation, led by Founder-Chairperson Nita M. Ambani, we benefit from being part of a strong network of schools that share resources, ideas, and best practices to drive innovation and excellence in education. This has helped us to create a joyous and enabling learning environment where teachers and students are provided with every opportunity to realise their full potential. We have invested heavily in the continuous professional development of our teachers to ensure our students receive holistic, inclusive education. This is supplemented with an enabling campus equipped with Smart classrooms, virtual labs and excellent sports facilities to develop children’s academic competencies and life skills. Moreover, in recognition of our efforts to optimally integrate technology with teaching-learning, we have been adjudged a Microsoft Showcase School for the third consecutive year” — Anvita Kackar, Principal, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Reliance Foundation School, Jamnagar

Emerging High-Potential Schools
Emerging schools under 10 years of age, demonstrating teaching-learning excellence, innovation, and impact.

“We are overjoyed to be ranked India’s #1 Emerging High-Potential School. As a branch campus of Inventure Academy, Whitefield — ranked India’s #1 Ivy League day school in EWISR 2025-26 — we have strong foundations. Our tried and tested curriculum and pedagogy are rooted in experiential, project-based learning to develop students’ innovation, inquiry and collaboration skills. Pioneer programmes such as ‘Inventurepreneurship’ nurture entrepreneurial thinking and creativity, while emotional well-being is addressed through a structured social-emotional learning programme. Most important, as in our parent school, professional development is accorded top priority. Our 38 teachers are rigorously and intensively trained in contemporary pedagogies to deliver holistic, experiential education that empowers children to make positive impact on the community and the world.” — Preet Benjamin Aarons, Principal of Inventure Academy, Yeshwanthpur Campus (144 students and 38 teachers)

STEAM Education Excellence
Schools integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics into the curriculum through hands-on, inquiry and project-based learning.

“We are elated to be ranked India’s #1 school for STEAM Education Excellence. This acknowledges our efforts to nurture innovators, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. Our carefully designed curriculum and pedagogy purposefully integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Our teachers are continuously trained to deliver interdisciplinary lessons that spark curiosity, promote inquiry, and apply technology creatively across subjects. Students explore AI-driven learning modules, machine learning concepts, and cutting-edge digital tools. Our math, robotics, and Atal Tinkering Labs provide hands-on experiential learning. The Metaverse 360 VR Program for classes III-VIII transforms classrooms through immersive AR, VR, and AI experiences. Students collaborate in cross-disciplinary projects using Scratch, Arduino, and Minecraft, and their innovations have been recognized by IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai, the CBSE Skill Expo 2024, and the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK of the Government of India.” — Anshuka Aneja, Deputy Director, IT, Blue Bells Group of Schools, Gurugram (1,176 students, 93 teachers)

Extraordinary Leadership
Schools with visionary education leaders who have driven bold change, innovation, institutional growth and whole-school improvement.

“We are deeply honoured to be ranked India #1 in the Extraordinary Leadership category of the prestigious EW Grand Jury India School Rankings. I attribute this achievement to the visionary leadership of our Late Founder-Manager, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, President, Dr. Bharti Gandhi and Manager, Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon. They have built strong foundations rooted in empowerment, accountability, and innovation. At CMS, we prioritize leadership development across all levels — students, teachers, and administrators — ensuring that every stakeholder develops into a leader-changemaker. Transparent systems, collaborative decision-making, and data-driven strategies have created empathetic and transformative leadership. Among our notable leadership initiatives are the Leadership Management Programme for teachers conducted in collaboration with I Am A Teacher and The Heritage School, Delhi; regular visioning and goal-setting workshops; and the Backward Planning and Design Thinking Series led by education experts.” — Soma Chandra, Principal, City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar Campus, Lucknow (6,718 students, 337 teachers)

Sports Excellence Award
Schools in which sports are not just an activity, but a pillar of student growth, discipline, and leadership development.

“This award is a matter of great pride for the entire DPS Rewari fraternity and validates our belief that sports is integral to education. It recognises the dedication of our students, coaches, teachers, and parents who value sports, discipline, teamwork, and excellence. Our state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, professional trainers, and a balanced academic-sports culture are key to our success. Our sports programme focuses on early talent identification, expert coaching including fitness, nutrition, and mentorship to nurture student-athletes. Several of our students have won laurels in inter-school, district, state, and national sports competitions” — Kavita Mathur, Director, Delhi Public School (DPS) Rewari (1,800 students, 110 teachers)

Holistic Development Champion
Schools that provide well-rounded education and opportunities to excel in sports, performing/visual arts, debate, cultural programs and provide wellness programmes.

“It’s deeply satisfying to learn that Vista has been voted India #1 for Holistic Development of students. It validates our vision that education must extend beyond classrooms to nurture well-rounded citizens capable of succeeding in life beyond school. Every stakeholder — management, teachers, parents, and students themselves — has contributed to this. We believe that learning must go beyond academics and textbooks. Therefore we offer programmes in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, art-integrated learning, and logical reasoning. Moreover, student-led initiatives such as MUN, school festivals, and investiture ceremonies build self-confidence and leadership. Sports, performing arts and other co-curricular activities nurture creativity, collaboration, and all-round development.”– Mary Shanthi Priya, Principal, Vista International School, Hyderabad, (1,493 students, 142 teachers)

Best School Governance & Management Practices
Schools with transparent, visionary governance, strong parent engagement, and best operational management practices.

“I am overwhelmed to be adjudged India #1 for BestSchool Governance & Management Practices. When I shared the news with our heads of departments and the management committee, they were overjoyed. At Shishuvan, democratic governance and management practices ensure that every stakeholder — teachers, students, parents, and management — has a voice and access to forums to share it. Our leadership team and management are actively involved in strengthening these participative forums, ensuring that dialogue translates into action and decisions are made collaboratively. Through transparent communication, regular reviews, and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders, we have been successful in developing Shishuvan into a progressive school where children are encouraged to think independently, teachers to continuously improve, and parents are valued contributors to the school’s decision-making process.” — Prachi Ranadive (centre), Principal, Shishuvan School, Mumbai (2,000 students, 119 teachers)

SDGs Committed Schools
Schools actively embedding UN Sustainable Development Goals into the curriculum, operations, and community engagement.

“We are honoured to be judged India’s premier SDGs committed school. This achievement reflects the shared vision of the New Era community — teachers, students, and parents — which has integrated values-based learning, service, and sustainability into every aspect of education. Our green campus, with our plantation drives, organic farming, solar panels, and water conservation systems, embodies deep respect for nature. Students extend these efforts beyond campus through civic partnerships, cleanliness drives, and awareness campaigns. Initiatives such as SDG-themed exhibitions, the Solar Lamp Workshop, and eco-inspired art and music projects develop students’ compassion, creativity, and unity. We are committed to delivering education that empowers learners with knowledge, strengthens character, and inspires sustainable living.” – Suniti Jha, Trustee & Head (admin), New Era High School, Panchgani (940 students, 65 teachers)

Academic Innovation Leadership Award
Schools that have pioneered innovative academic strategies to enhance teaching-learning and student engagement through transformative leadership in curriculum development.

“We are proud to be acknowledged an academic innovations leader. Several schools in Greater Noida have adopted our best practices. Guided by the Shri Ram Education Trust’s vision of future readiness, innovation at our school is embedded at every level — through projects led by students, faculty, and management. Some of our academic innovations include the Right Brain Development Curriculum, a STEM curriculum using low-cost kits, leadership learning walks with automated feedback, competency-based teacher assessments, vertical subject integration, and equal importance accorded to performing and visual arts and physical education. Additionally, we have designed Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) worksheets to challenge advanced learners to think critically and creatively.” — Jyoti Kapoor, Director, Shri Ram Global School, Greater Noida (2,351 students, 140 teachers).

AI-Integrated Learning Champion
Schools pioneering responsible use of generative AI and machine learning tools in the curriculum and classroom teaching-learning.

“I congratulate EducationWorld for introducing this new category, and it’s very satisfying that the new-age Yashmay World School has been adjudged India’s #1 AI-Integrated Learning Champion. At Yashmay, we have wholeheartedly embraced AI not just as a tool, but as a transformative force redefining how our students learn and educators teach. AI is woven into our curriculum, instruction, and assessment — enabling adaptive learning, real-time feedback, and personalized academic support. Teachers use AI analytics to track students learning styles, identify gaps, and design interventions that strengthen conceptual understanding. We also conduct AI-awareness workshops to promote ethical use and have introduced AI for assessment, attention tracking, and teaching evaluation. We are committed to implementing digital technologies and AI-powered learning responsibly and preparing our students for a technology-driven world.” — Namrata Singh, Principal, Yashmay World School, Gonda (405 students, 41 teachers)

Best Digital Infrastructure & Learning Ecosystem
Schools providing robust digital infrastructure, smart classrooms, LMS integration, and demonstrating hybrid teaching-learning capabilities.

“We are delighted to be ranked India #1 for developing Best Digital Infrastructure & Learning Ecosystem. This recognition affirms our steadfast commitment to harnessing the power of technology for transformative learning. Over the years, we have invested continuously in developing digital infrastructure and IT labs, cloud-based learning platforms, Smart classrooms, and advanced ERP and analytics systems to improve teaching and students learning outcomes. Some recent initiatives include the introduction of AI-enabled student assessments and data-driven personalised learning to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Simultaneously, we have intensively trained our faculty in latest technologies to ensure that classroom teaching is engaging and contemporary. We are committed to continuously updating our digital learning ecosystem to develop future-ready students.” — Geetha Somasekharan, Principal, Queen’s College, Indore (2,360 Students and 138 teachers)

Global Citizenship & Collaborations Leader
Schools with global classroom initiatives, international projects, cultural exchanges and collaborations that prepare students for success in a rapidly globalising world.

“We are elated to be ranked India #1 in this vitally important category. The award acknowledges our efforts to provide education that connects hearts and minds across national borders. We have initiated a wide range of global learning initiatives — classroom projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and partnerships with schools in China, France, and Uzbekistan — to broaden our students’ worldview and deepen their respect for diverse cultures. Our students have participated in exchange programs with schools in France and Uzbekistan, represented India at innovation camps in Shanghai and Tokyo, and engaged meaningfully with the embassies of China and Uzbekistan. Moreover, student-led ventures such as CigCreate Ltd., a sustainability startup, and Girl Up initiative, focused on empowering  girl children, have enabled our students to develop into future-ready global citizens.” — Dr Jyotika Jakkar, Principal, Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, Delhi (1,899 students, 104 teachers)

Safety, Security & Digital Well-being
Schools that ensure students’ physical safety, cybersecurity, data privacy, and promote responsible digital behaviour.

“We are delighted that an eminent EW Grand Jury has judged us India #1 in the Safety, Security & Digital Well-Being category. At Fazlani L’Académie Globale, student well-being and safety shapes every decision and practice on campus. We have instituted comprehensive child protection and safety policies, integrated digital citizenship lessons into the curriculum and regularly conduct staff training in fire safety evacuation drills. Our well-trained teachers also guide students to use technology safely and ethically, balancing creativity with digital responsibility. Under our E-Safety Parent Awareness Series we also conduct parent workshops on children’s online safety. Other initiatives such as Mindful Mornings, Cyber Safety & Digital Responsibility Week and SELebrate YOU encourage reflection, calm, and balance in online and classroom learning.” — Mahera Goel (centre left), Principal, Fazlani L’Académie Globale, Mumbai (606 students, 96 teachers)

Community & Social Impact Award
Schools with robust outreach programs, social responsibility campaigns, and student-led community impact initiatives.

“We are delighted to be ranked India’s #1 Community & Social Impact school by EducationWorld. The award reflects the power of collaborative student-teacher-parent effort in driving positive social change. We believe social responsibility is a vital life skill. When students engage directly with real-world challenges, they develop empathy, leadership, and deeper sense of purpose. In our school, community service and social impact are woven into the curriculum through experiential learning, values-based education, and project-based initiatives that encourage students to think critically and act compassionately. Some of our community initiatives include providing food to the needy, supporting an old age home, and local neighbourhood cleanliness initiatives” – Amardeep Singh, Founder, Daffodils Public School, Lohia Talab, Mirzapur (2,500 students, 165 teachers)

Student Leadership & Life Skills Development
These are schools that consciously nurture and empower student leaders to make positive contributions to their school, local community, society & country.

“We express our gratitude to the EW Grand Jury for recognizing our efforts in Student Leadership & Life Skills Development. At Johnson Grammar, leadership and life skills are not taught in isolation but integrated into academics, co-curricular activities and daily interaction. Through initiatives such as the Johnson Enrichment Programme, I.I.M.U.N (India International Movement to Unite Nations), life skills workshops, and collaboration with professional institutes, students acquire critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence and real-world exposure. HSCP (Health, Safety & Child Protection), Thalir and Yardstick (experiential learning), SARAL (public speaking), Indfame (art integrated learning) and Space Adhyaan programmes develop and strengthen children’s communication and leadership skills. We believe true education inspires students to transform learning into leadership and action with purpose” – B. Mallikarjun Rao, Chairman, Johnson Grammar School, Kuntloor, Hyderabad (5,000 students, 500 teachers)

Sustainable & Future-Ready Campus Design
Schools that have developed eco-conscious, sustainable, and tech-integrated campuses to support student wellness and sustainable learning.

“It is a privilege to be adjudged India #1 in the Sustainable and Future-Ready Campus Design category. Spread over a 35-acre green campus in Chennai, Vellore International School was envisioned as a nature-friendly school. Every campus feature — whether open collaborative spaces, digitally enabled classrooms, gardens — reflects our belief that academic excellence and environmental consciousness must coexist. Drawing from the well-known Vellore Institute of Technology group’s legacy of providing world-class higher education, VIS blends eco-conscious and efficient design with student-centred infrastructure. Our campus incorporates renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting, waste segregation and recycling, and energy-efficient construction to ensure minimal ecological footprint. Daylight-optimized classrooms, green landscapes, and wellness spaces create a learning environment that nurtures children’s cognitive and emotional growth.” — Dr. G. V. Selvam, Chairman, Vellore International School, Chennai (265 students, 45 teachers)