Which States has Most Number of CBSE Schools in India? 2025 Insights Students Must Know

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has evolved into the most sought-after academic board in India, widely regarded as the gateway to national-level competitive success. Its curriculum, which serves as the foundation for major entrance exams like JEE and NEET, has driven a massive shift in the Indian educational landscape. While regional boards previously dominated, the last decade has seen a rapid "CBSE-fication" of schools, as parents prioritize a standardized, pan-India syllabus that facilitates easier migration and better career prospects for their children. 

Geographically, the distribution of these schools reveals a fascinating divide between population-driven volume and urban-centric density. Massive states like Uttar Pradesh use their sheer scale to lead the total count, but metropolitan clusters like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Pune act as the functional hubs of the board. In these cities, the concentration of private schools and the conversion of government-run institutions have created an educational ecosystem where CBSE is not just an option, but the primary standard of learning.

The 2025 Leaderboard: Top States by CBSE Affiliations

According to the latest 2025 data, there is a clear hierarchy in school distribution. Large states with high populations and significant urban migration tend to dominate the top of the list.

CBSE Schools in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh continues its reign as the state with the highest number of CBSE schools in India. With 9,238 schools, it has nearly double the count of many other major states. This growth is attributed to the state's massive population and a significant push from private edupreneurs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Schools in UP are a mix of large-scale private ventures and a growing number of government-aided institutions that have sought CBSE affiliation to improve educational quality and student outcomes.

Delhi & NCR a Global CBSE Hub

While UP leads as a state, Delhi (at rank 4) represents the highest density of CBSE schools in a single urban territory. With 4,912 schools in a relatively small geographic area, Delhi is effectively the "headquarters" of the CBSE culture.

• Government Dominance: Almost all Delhi government schools are affiliated with CBSE, a unique feature compared to other states where state boards are still prevalent in government sectors.

• The NCR Factor: When you combine Delhi with its satellite cities—Noida (Gautam Buddh Nagar), Gurugram, and Faridabad—the region becomes the single largest cluster of CBSE schools in the world. Noida, in particular, has seen an explosion of high-end private CBSE schools catering to the growing IT and corporate workforce.

The Urban Surge: Pune and Bengaluru

The rise of the IT sector has directly influenced school affiliations in Western and Southern India.

• Bengaluru: With Karnataka ranking third globally, Bengaluru is a major contributor. The city’s cosmopolitan population, consisting of families from across India, demands the portability that the CBSE curriculum offers.

• Maharashtra (Pune/Mumbai): Maharashtra holds the second spot nationally. Pune, often called the "Oxford of the East," has seen a massive shift away from the State Board (SSC) toward CBSE, driven by the needs of the manufacturing and tech industries.

Reasons for Concentration

Why are these specific regions seeing such a high concentration of CBSE schools?

1. Urban Demand & Infrastructure: Cities offer the physical infrastructure and the middle-class demographic that can support the fee structures of private CBSE schools.

2. Private Sector Growth: As noted by educational analysts, a significant portion of CBSE’s expansion comes from independent private schools that find urban markets more viable.

3. Standardization: In cities with high internal migration, like Bengaluru or Noida, parents prefer a board that remains consistent regardless of which state they might move to next.

The 2025 data confirms that while Uttar Pradesh is the leader in sheer numbers, the Delhi-NCR region remains the most vital hub for the board. As urbanization continues to sweep through India, the trend suggests that states like Maharashtra and Karnataka will continue to close the gap, further cementing CBSE's position as the primary pillar of Indian school education.