Hidden inflation no one talks about? UKG fees > IIT tuition; AJVC founder’s post goes viral

Mumbai: Education costs in India are once again under the spotlight, after Aviral Bhatnagar, founder and managing partner of pre-seed fund AJVC, highlighted the steep fees for his cousin’s daughter’s schooling.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on 18 February 2026, Bhatnagar wrote that his cousin’s daughter’s UKG (Upper Kindergarten) fees in Mumbai were over ₹4 lakh per year. By contrast, he said his tuition at IIT Bombay was half that amount for the entirety of his four-year Bachelor of Technology in Engineering Physics, which he completed between 2010 and 2014.

“Education costs are the hidden inflation that no one is talking about,” Bhatnagar wrote, suggesting that rising school fees are placing an increasing burden on families. He also added, “Perhaps AI tutors will make it affordable again.”

The post quickly sparked discussion among X users. Many agreed that school fees have risen sharply, with some questioning the justification for such high costs at the preschool level. One user remarked, “Your UKG fees cost more than my entire IIT degree. Preschool shouldn’t cost more than engineering.” Another joked, “At this rate, the kid should come home with a pitch deck and a working app.” A third added, “Time to make home schooling great.”

Others recalled their own experiences, with one user noting, “I did an MBA for half of that fees in 2009. What are they even teaching toddlers charging 4 lakh per year?”

Bhatnagar’s post has attracted significant attention, amassing 65,000 views and numerous comments since it was shared.

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The debate on education costs has also been linked to wider concerns about the wellbeing of children in schools. A recent incident in Maharashtra highlighted this issue when a man reported that his six-year-old son, in the 1st standard and weighing 21 kg, was carrying a school bag and tiffin weighing 4.5 kg—well above the recommended limit of 10 per cent of a child’s body weight.