How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child in India?

Raising a child in India is not about feeding and taking care of kids anymore! Today, it's a lot to do with school fees, coaching classes, fancy birthday parties, and saving for college.

‍

So, how much does it really cost to raise a child in India? We will provide you with a detailed breakdown. Whether you are young parents or planning to expand your family, this guide is for you!

‍

0 to 3 Years: The Baby Phase

‍

Welcome to the world of diapers, vaccinations, and adorable tiny shoes.

‍

• Hospital & Delivery: ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 (in private hospitals)
  
  
• Vaccinations & check-ups: ₹20,000–₹50,000
  
  
• Baby essentials (stroller, crib, etc.): ₹30,000–₹1,00,000
  
  
• Everyday expenses (diapers, formula, baby food): ₹2,000–₹5,000/month

‍

Ballpark Total: ₹1.5–₹4 lakh for the first three years.

‍

During this phase, Amazon becomes your go-to companion, and sleep becomes an unfamiliar concept.

‍

3 to 10 Years: School Starts (So Do the Real Expenses)

‍

You have to attend preschool, playdates, art classes, and numerous birthday parties.

‍

• Preschool fees: ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 lakh/year
  
  
• Primary school (fees, books, transport): ₹70,000 to ₹3 lakh/year
  
  
• Extracurriculars & hobbies: ₹10,000–₹50,000/year
  
  
• Healthcare, clothes, the odd family trip: ₹20,000–₹50,000/year
  
  

Rough Estimate (7 years): ₹10–₹25 lakh

‍

Nowadays, kids aged 7 also demand smartphones. Can you believe it?

11 to 18 Years: The Teenage Rollercoaster

‍

Welcome to the land of coaching classes, school projects, and fast-growing feet.

‍

• School fees: ₹1–₹5 lakh/year (depending on board and city)
  
  
• Tuitions and coaching: ₹50,000–₹3 lakh/year (especially if JEE/NEET is involved)
  
  
• Gadgets, phones, laptops: ₹10,000–₹1 lakh
  
  
• Lifestyle, hobbies, outings: ₹30,000–₹1 lakh/year
  
  

Estimated Cost (7 years): ₹15–₹35 lakh

‍

This is the stage when your fridge is always empty, and the Wi-Fi is constantly in use.

‍

18 to 21 Years: College & Beyond

‍

Whether they stay in your city or move out, college life doesn’t come cheap.

‍

• Undergrad degree in India: ₹2–₹20 lakh (private colleges)
  
  
• Living away from home: ₹1–₹3 lakh/year
  
  
• Studying abroad (optional, but pricey): ₹30 lakh–₹1 crore+
  
  

Estimated Cost (3 years in India): ₹6–₹15 lakh

‍

They might be adults now, but let’s face it, you’re still the emergency contact.

‍

Start investing in digital gold on Jar app and secure a golden future for your kids.

‍

But Wait, There’s More!

‍

• Health Insurance: A must-have. Around ₹10,000–₹30,000/year.
  
  
• Inflation: Education costs are rising faster than you can say “school admission”.
  
  
• Surprise Costs: That last-minute guitar class, the annual school trip, or a broken laptop - life happens.
  
  

If you're raising a child in a metro city, a safe estimate is ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore from birth to age 21. That’s not including luxury holidays, designer clothes, or overseas education, but it does cover the basics of a well-rounded upbringing.

‍

How Do You Plan for This?

‍

• Start early: A daily/weekly savings in gold is a safe and secure way to accumulate and grow money for raising a child. Jar App is the perfect way to do so.
  
  
• Mix it up: Combine your gold savings with investments in stocks, mutual funds, and other financial instruments to diversify your portfolio.
  
  
• Review regularly: Life changes fast, so should your financial plan.
  
  

Final Thoughts

‍

Raising a child isn’t just about the money, but let’s not pretend it doesn’t matter. What's the good news? You don’t need to have it all figured out from day one. What you do need is a plan, a little discipline, and a lot of love.

‍

At the end of the day, every rupee you spend is an investment in your child's dreams.