Modern School Barakhamba Road – Fees, Ranking & Admission
About Modern School Barakhamba Road – Fees, Ranking & Admission
Quick answer: Modern School, Barakhamba Road is a CBSE-affiliated co-educational day-cum-boarding school on a 27-acre campus in central New Delhi, founded in 1920 by Lala Raghubir Singh, recognised as India’s #1 Vintage Legacy Day-cum-Boarding School by EducationWorld India School Rankings 2025-26, and ranked #4 nationally — making it one of India’s oldest and most decorated private schools in continuous operation for over a century.
About Modern School, Barakhamba Road
Modern School, Barakhamba Road is one of India’s oldest and most recognised private schools, founded in 1920 by Lala Raghubir Singh in a mansion belonging to his father, Lala Sultan Singh, in Daryaganj, Delhi. The school moved to its current home on Barakhamba Road, New Delhi — 110001, where it has stood for over nine decades, shaping generations of students across politics, sport, business, and public life. The school’s motto, “Nyaymatma Balheenien Labhya” — meaning “Self-realization cannot be achieved by the weak” — continues to define its ethos.
The school is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with affiliation number 2730009, and operates as a co-educational English-medium institution from Grades 6 to 12 at the Barakhamba Road campus. Pre-school through Grade 5 is handled by its junior branch, Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School (RSJMS), at Humayun Road, New Delhi. The academic cycle runs from April to March. The school is also partly residential, with boarding facilities available for outstation boys and girls — a relatively rare feature for a centrally located Delhi school.
The campus spans 27 acres in the heart of New Delhi, enrolling approximately 2,500 students across Grades 6 to 12, supported by a qualified teaching faculty at a teacher-student ratio of 1:40. Modern School holds international recognition codes CEEB 671861 and UCAS 46107, and is a member of the Round Square International Conference (RSIC) — a global network of schools committed to character education and international exchange. The current Principal is Dr. Vijay Datta (MA, B.Ed, M.Ed, PhD), the ninth principal in the school’s history.
Fees Structure
| Class / Grade | Stream | Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6-8 | Middle | ₹1,47,000 – ₹1,55,000 |
| Class 9-10 | Secondary | ₹1,60,000 – ₹1,72,000 |
| Class 11-12 | Senior (Science/Commerce/Arts) | ₹1,75,000 – ₹1,92,000 |
Facilities
- 27-acre campus in the heart of New Delhi — one of the largest school campuses in central Delhi
- Lala Pratap Singh Library (senior) and a dedicated Junior Library
- Science laboratories across disciplines
- Special Education Room for students with learning needs
- 4 dedicated Music Rooms and a Dance Room
- Sports ground with facilities for cricket, football, basketball, athletics, and equestrian training
- Boarding House for outstation boys and girls — residential option within a day school setting
- Computer laboratories with updated infrastructure
- Clubs and societies covering arts, technology, environment, and social service
- Round Square activities integrating international exchange and leadership programmes
- Career and Guidance Cell for senior students exploring higher education and career pathways
Admission
Recognition & Awards
- - EducationWorld India School Rankings 2025-26: Awarded the prestigious Ivy League Award — a distinction conferred on only a select group of India's highest-ranked schools nationally
- - EducationWorld India School Rankings 2025-26: Ranked #1 Vintage Legacy Day-cum-Boarding School in India — the sole school in this category to receive the top national designation
- - EducationWorld India School Rankings 2025-26: Ranked #1 in New Delhi and #4 in India overall among top-ranked day-cum-boarding schools
- - Round Square International Conference (RSIC): Full member of this global network of 200+ schools across 50 countries, enabling international exchange programmes and leadership initiatives
- - CBSE Affiliation (No. 2730009): Continuously affiliated at the senior secondary level, with over 100 years of uninterrupted academic operation
- - International recognition: Registered with CEEB (Code: 671861) and UCAS (Code: 46107) — enabling students to apply directly to universities in the US and UK using the school's institutional codes
- - Notable alumni recognition: Home to alumni including Gautam Gambhir (Head Coach, Indian Cricket Team), Pratika Rawal (India women's international cricketer), and leaders across business, politics, and public service
Why Choose Modern School, Barakhamba Road
Modern School's core case is straightforward but rare: over a century of institutional continuity, a #4 national ranking from EducationWorld in 2025-26, and a campus in central New Delhi that has produced alumni shaping Indian public life across every decade since the 1940s. The "Ivy League Award" from EducationWorld isn't a participation trophy — it is reserved for schools that consistently rank among India's top-tier institutions across multiple measured parameters, and Modern School has maintained that standing for years.
What sets it apart from other elite Delhi schools is the combination of scale, heritage, and genuine breadth. The 27-acre campus gives students room for sport, performance, and outdoor life in a city where space is a premium. The boarding option — unusual for a centrally located school — makes Modern accessible to families from outside Delhi who want a prestigious CBSE education without relocating entirely. The Round Square membership adds an international dimension that most CBSE schools don't offer: students can participate in conferences, exchanges, and service projects with schools across 50 countries.
The honest consideration for families: Modern School operates on a 1:40 teacher-student ratio, which is higher than what smaller boutique schools offer. Parents who value close individual attention in small-class settings may find that trade-off significant. The school's strength is in its institutional depth — a century of systems, a wide co-curricular infrastructure, and a peer network that has historically translated into strong outcomes — rather than in any single flagship programme.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Modern School, Barakhamba Road offers merit-based and need-based fee concessions for eligible students, though the school does not publicly list a named, structured scholarship scheme with fixed percentages. A sibling concession is available — families with more than one child enrolled receive a partial tuition fee concession on the second admission. For outstation or boarding students, specific financial arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis through the school's administration. Parents are advised to contact the admissions office or the school's administrative staff directly to discuss current-year eligibility criteria, as concession policies are not published in the school prospectus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What board does Modern School, Barakhamba Road follow?
Modern School, Barakhamba Road is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with affiliation number 2730009. The medium of instruction is English from Grade 1 through Grade 12, and the academic cycle runs from April to March.
Is there a boarding facility at Modern School, Barakhamba Road?
Yes. Modern School, Barakhamba Road is a day-cum-boarding school and provides residential accommodation for outstation boys and girls. Contact the school office for current boarding fees and availability.
What grades does the Barakhamba Road campus admit?
The Barakhamba Road campus admits students from Grade 6 to Grade 12. Pre-school through Grade 5 is managed by the affiliated junior branch, Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School (RSJMS), located at Humayun Road, New Delhi.
How do I apply for admission to Modern School, Barakhamba Road?
Applications for the senior school (Grades 6 to 12) can be submitted through the school's online admission portal at msbr.mstarola.com. Admission is based on prior academic merit and seat availability. For junior school (Pre-School to Grade 5 via RSJMS), applications are accepted during the January admission window. Sibling applicants must obtain a signed certificate from the school office.
How is Modern School, Barakhamba Road ranked nationally?
Modern School, Barakhamba Road holds the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2025-26 Ivy League Award and is ranked #1 in New Delhi and #4 in India among day-cum-boarding schools. It is also designated India's #1 Vintage Legacy Day-cum-Boarding School — a category recognising schools with 100+ years of continuous operation and consistent top-tier national ranking.
What is the school's international affiliation?
Modern School, Barakhamba Road is a full member of the Round Square International Conference (RSIC), a global network of 200+ schools across 50+ countries. Students can participate in international exchanges, conferences, and service projects. The school is also registered with CEEB (Code: 671861) and UCAS (Code: 46107) for university applications in the US and UK.
Who are some notable alumni of Modern School, Barakhamba Road?
Notable alumni include Gautam Gambhir (Head Coach, Indian Cricket Team), Pratika Rawal (India women's international cricketer), and prominent figures across business, law, and public administration. The school's alumni list spans over a century of graduating classes.
What co-curricular activities does the school offer?
The school offers a wide range of co-curricular activities including music (4 dedicated rooms), dance, sports (cricket, football, basketball, athletics, equestrian), art, and technology clubs. Societies and Round Square-linked programmes further extend students' exposure to international collaboration, leadership, and community service.
