Which State Has the Most CBSE Schools in India?

When parents in India choose a school for their child, the CBSE board often comes up as a top choice. Why? Because it’s the most widely recognized curriculum across the country, especially for families who move often, plan to take national entrance exams like JEE or NEET, or want a standardized syllabus that’s accepted everywhere. But if you’re trying to figure out where to settle or where to find the most options, one question keeps popping up: which state has more CBSE schools in India?

Uttar Pradesh Leads by a Wide Margin

As of 2025, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of CBSE-affiliated schools in India - over 7,200. That’s more than the next two states combined. It’s not even close. The state’s massive population, urban sprawl across cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Noida, and a strong push from private education entrepreneurs have fueled this growth. Even smaller towns in UP now have at least one CBSE school, often with English-medium instruction and digital classrooms.

Why so many? For one, the state government doesn’t restrict private schools from affiliating with CBSE. Plus, middle-class families see CBSE as a direct path to engineering and medical colleges. Many coaching centers in UP are built around the CBSE syllabus, especially for JEE and NEET prep. It’s a self-reinforcing cycle: more schools → more students → more coaching centers → more demand for CBSE schools.

Second Place: Maharashtra and Delhi Tie

After Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi are tied for second place, each with around 3,800-4,000 CBSE schools. In Maharashtra, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik are hotspots. The state’s strong economy and high literacy rate mean more families can afford private education. Many schools in Mumbai follow CBSE because it aligns with the competitive exam culture - students from these schools dominate the national rankings for JEE and NEET.

Delhi, though smaller in area, packs in a huge number of CBSE schools due to its status as the national capital. It’s home to elite institutions like DPS, St. Stephen’s, and modern private chains like Amity and Shemrock. Parents in Delhi often choose CBSE because it’s the default for government job aspirants - many central government exams like SSC and UPSC expect candidates to have studied under CBSE.

Other High-Performing States

States like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh each have between 2,500 and 3,000 CBSE schools. In Rajasthan, Jaipur and Udaipur have seen rapid growth in CBSE-affiliated institutions since 2020. Haryana, especially Gurgaon and Faridabad, has become a hub for expat families and corporate employees who want continuity in education. Madhya Pradesh’s push for English-medium education in tier-2 cities like Bhopal and Indore has also boosted CBSE enrollment.

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, despite having strong state boards, still host over 2,000 CBSE schools each. In Bengaluru, many IT families prefer CBSE because it’s easier to transition to international universities later. In Chennai, CBSE schools are growing fast as parents shift away from state board due to perceived lack of preparation for competitive exams.

Why CBSE Dominates Across India

The reason CBSE spreads so easily isn’t just about the curriculum - it’s about mobility. If your family moves from Lucknow to Bengaluru, your child can switch schools without losing a year. The syllabus is uniform. Textbooks are the same. Even the exam pattern for Class 10 and 12 is standardized nationwide. That’s not true for state boards like Maharashtra’s SSC or West Bengal’s WBBSE.

Also, CBSE focuses on application-based learning. The NCERT textbooks used in CBSE schools are simpler, more visual, and designed to build conceptual understanding - not just memorization. This makes it easier for students to prepare for JEE, NEET, and even Olympiads. Coaching institutes across India design their modules around CBSE content, not state board.

CBSE also updates its syllabus faster. In 2023, it introduced more project-based assessments and reduced rote learning. By 2025, nearly all CBSE schools use digital platforms like DIKSHA for assignments and parent-teacher communication. This modernization attracts tech-savvy parents.

Where CBSE Schools Are Rare

Not every state is flooded with CBSE schools. In Kerala, for example, only about 700 CBSE schools exist - most are in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The state’s own board, Kerala Board of Public Examination, is deeply trusted and culturally embedded. Parents there often see CBSE as unnecessary.

In West Bengal, the state board (WBBSE) dominates. CBSE schools are mostly in Kolkata and a few affluent suburbs. In Odisha and Jharkhand, CBSE presence is growing but still limited - under 1,000 schools each. These states have strong local education movements tied to regional language and culture, which slows CBSE adoption.

Even in the Northeast, CBSE schools are few. Assam and Manipur have fewer than 500 each. Most schools here follow the state board or the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).

What This Means for Parents

If you’re moving to India and want the most school options, head to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, or Maharashtra. You’ll find CBSE schools in every neighborhood, with varying fee structures - from ₹20,000 to ₹3 lakh per year. If you’re looking for affordability and accessibility, tier-2 cities in UP and MP offer good quality CBSE schools at lower costs.

If you’re aiming for top JEE or NEET coaching, prioritize schools in Delhi, Noida, Pune, or Bengaluru. These cities have the highest concentration of coaching centers linked to CBSE syllabus. For families planning to study abroad, CBSE is still the safest bet - it’s recognized by universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

How to Verify a CBSE School

Not every school claiming to be CBSE is actually affiliated. Always check the official CBSE website’s list of affiliated schools. Search by school name or city. A real CBSE school will have an affiliation number starting with “113” or “114” (for Delhi) or “121” (for UP). Schools without this number are either fake or operating illegally.

Also, look for the CBSE logo on the school’s website and official documents. The board doesn’t allow schools to use its name without approval. If a school says “CBSE pattern” but isn’t listed on cbse.nic.in, walk away.

Future Trends

CBSE is expanding into rural India. In 2024, the board launched a program to support low-cost CBSE schools in districts with fewer than 5 schools. Over 400 new schools opened in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand in 2025. This could shift the rankings in the next few years.

Meanwhile, private chains like Kalyani, EuroSchool, and Orchids are opening CBSE-only campuses in smaller cities. The trend is clear: CBSE isn’t just urban anymore. It’s becoming the default choice across India - even in places where state boards once ruled.

Final Answer: Uttar Pradesh Has the Most CBSE Schools

By a huge margin, Uttar Pradesh leads with over 7,200 CBSE schools. Maharashtra and Delhi follow, but they’re hundreds behind. If you’re looking for choice, affordability, or exam prep support, UP is the place to be. But remember - it’s not just about numbers. The quality of teaching, teacher training, and infrastructure matter more than how many schools exist nearby.

Always visit the school, talk to current parents, and check the last year’s results. A school with 500 students and 85% pass rate in Class 12 is better than one with 2,000 students and 60%.