Uttar Pradesh Tops CBSE School Count in India 2025 State Rankings as new figures show Uttar Pradesh continuing its dominance in the number of CBSE-affiliated schools. The latest data, reflecting the 2025 academic year, highlights the evolving landscape of central board education across Indian states. Uttar Pradesh leads significantly in total school count, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The 2025 Leaderboard: Top States by CBSE School Affiliations
Before presenting the latest figures on state-wise CBSE school distribution, it is important to grasp how these numbers reflect underlying educational trends. States with larger populations and strong urban clusters tend to host more schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) due to increased demand for nationally recognised curricula and competitive exam readiness. The table below summarises the top states by number of CBSE schools in 2025:
Uttar Pradesh continues to hold a commanding lead in overall count, with more than 9,200 CBSE-affiliated schools as of 2025. This reflects both the vast population size and ongoing shifts toward central board education in urban and semi-urban regions. Maharashtra and Karnataka follow in the rankings, each with thousands of CBSE schools spread across major cities and districts. Delhi, despite its smaller geographic size, achieves a high density of CBSE schools relative to its area, underscoring its role as an educational hub.
Why Uttar Pradesh Leads in CBSE School Numbers?
Uttar Pradesh’s lead in CBSE school count is largely driven by its large population and expanding demand for standardized schooling that prepares students for national competitive exams. The state’s mix of private and government-aided schools opting for CBSE affiliation has broadened access to uniform curricula rooted in NCERT standards. Large urban areas such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, and Ghaziabad serve as educational hotspots, attracting school investments and supporting expansion of CBSE institutions. As families increasingly prioritise education that aligns with national benchmarks, the CBSE’s curriculum appeal continues to rise.
Maharashtra and Karnataka’s Growing CBSE Ecosystems
Maharashtra and Karnataka occupy the second and third positions, respectively, in the 2025 rankings. These states have seen sustained growth in CBSE school affiliations as parents and educational planners lean toward central board schooling for its competitive exam integration and mobility advantages. In metropolitan centres like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Mysuru, CBSE schools are particularly popular, serving diverse student populations and preparing them for exams such as JEE and NEET. While state boards still hold ground in some areas, CBSE’s nationwide recognition continues to attract strong enrolment.
Delhi’s High CBSE School Density
Although ranked fourth in total numbers, Delhi stands out for its dense clustering of CBSE schools. The urban territory hosts nearly 5,000 such institutions, offering both government-run and private schooling options under the CBSE framework. Delhi’s compact geography and concentration of educational resources contribute to its reputation as a central education hub.
What Does This Means for Students and Families?
The distribution of CBSE schools in 2025 offers valuable insight for families, educators, and policymakers. Regions with higher counts of CBSE institutions typically provide broader choices for academic programmes, extracurricular offerings, and preparation pathways for national-level examinations. For prospective students and parents planning admissions, these figures help in understanding where central board education is most accessible and how regional trends may influence future educational decisions.
