TNR News Network
Shimla:
Shimla’s prestigious Bishop Cotton School (BCS), in the spotlight after three of its students went missing and were later found safely by the police within 24 hours, is not just the first public school in India but also Asia’s oldest all-boys boarding school.
While the incident of its missing students raised questions about safety protocols during school outings, it also turned public attention toward the historic institution’s legacy and its current fee structure.
Founded on July 28, 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, BCS has a rich educational legacy.
According to the school’s official website, Bishop Cotton was a Cambridge graduate and former scholar at Westminster who taught at Rugby School before becoming Master of Marlborough College. His vision for an English-style public school in India took shape in Shimla, where he laid the foundation with the support of the Diocese and the British Viceroy.
The school opened its doors to students on March 15, 1863, initially operating from three private houses purchased out of the India Public School Fund. Though referred to in correspondence as the “Shimla Public School”, it never formally bore that name. Today, BCS continues to function as a prestigious boys-only residential school for classes IV to XII.
Premium Education Comes at a Premium Cost
For Indian nationals, Bishop Cotton School charges a premium annual fee structure, reflective of its historic stature and boarding facilities. According to the school’s website, here is the fee schedule for the 2025 academic session:
• Admission Fee (One-Time): Rs 65,000
• Caution Money (One-Time, Refundable): Rs 3,00,000
(Rs 25,000 is deducted for OCA Lifelong membership; Rs 2.75 lakh refunded on leaving)
• Imprest Account (Annual): Rs 1,00,000
(Advance for personal billing for Classes IV to XII)
Annual Tuition Fee:
• Class IV-V: Rs 7,10,000
• Class VI-X: Rs 7,80,000
• Class XI-XII: Rs 8,35,000
In addition, a pocket money deposit of Rs 20,000 is required for Classes VI-XII. This is to be deposited in the student’s personal account at the school’s bank counter on the day of joining, via the respective House Master or Matron.
For students holding NRI or OCI status, the fee structure is distinctly higher:
• Admission Fee (One-Time): Rs 1,00,000
• Caution Money (One-Time, Refundable): Rs 3,00,000
(with the same Rs 25,000 deduction for OCA membership)
• Imprest Account (Annual): Rs 1,00,000
Annual Tuition Fee (Class IV-XII): Rs 11,60,000
Pocket money requirements remain the same — Rs 20,000 per annum, to be handled through the school’s designated banking system. The school notes that all fees are subject to revision as per its internal policies.
The significant cost reflects the institution’s heritage, facilities, residential environment and exclusive boarding education model modelled on British public schools. BCS has long been considered among the top-tier boarding schools in India and continues to draw students from across the country and abroad.
