Education franchises remain one of the most resilient, high-impact business models in India. Demand for quality early-years programmes and K–12 brands continues to grow because parents prioritise safe, reputable institutions that offer modern pedagogy and strong outcomes. Below is a practical, research-backed list of the Top 10 school & preschool franchises to watch in India in 2026, what makes each brand compelling, and quick notes on expected investment and support. (Sources used: industry franchise directories and education franchise analyses from 2024–2025.)

1. Bal Vidya Kendra School

Segment: Preschool / early childhood

Bal Vidya Kendra (BVK) is emerging as one of the top school franchises in India for 2026. With 50+ years of trust, a value-based and modern learning approach, and an affordable investment model, BVK offers strong franchise opportunities. Its holistic curriculum, smart-learning methods, and structured support make it ideal for entrepreneurs entering early-childhood education.

2. Edify Schools

Segment: K–12 (private chain)

Why it ranks: Edify runs a fast-growing chain focused on international standards and modern pedagogy. It positions itself between premium and affordable private schooling, offering structured franchise/partnership models and centralised curriculum support — attractive for investors who want a scalable K–12 model. Investment: substantial; model varies by city and campus size.

3. Birla Open Minds / Birla School Group

Segment: Pre-primary to K–12 (brand extensions exist)

Why it ranks: Built on a strong corporate-parent reputation, Birla Open Minds provides a premium, structured early-years and K–12 model with brand trust, teacher training, and operational systems — appealing for franchisees targeting premium neighbourhoods. Investment: mid-to-high depending on the model.

4. Kidzee (Zee Learn)

Segment: Preschool / early childhood

Why it ranks: Kidzee is India’s largest preschool network by centres and visibility; it’s known for a play-based curriculum (iLLUME) and strong franchise support for training, marketing and operations. Kidzee is especially strong in small cities and towns where parents seek branded pre-primary quality. Investment: relatively low to moderate compared to K–12, typically in the lakhs.

5. EuroKids / Kangaroo Kids Group

Segment: Preschool & early learning

Why it ranks: EuroKids is a household name in pre-primary education and frequently tops franchise lists for 2025–26. The brand’s pedagogy focuses on experiential learning, and franchisees benefit from curriculum packages, teacher training and brand marketing. EuroKids also offers regionally adaptable formats. Investment: moderate (typical preschool franchise cost ranges reported across industry sites).

6. Podar Jumbo Kids / Podar Education Network

Segment: Preschool (and larger Podar K–12 network)

Why it ranks: Podar’s education group has strong legacy credentials and a portfolio that includes preschools and full K–12 schools. Podar Jumbo Kids is respected for its Montessori-influenced curriculum and franchisee support — a solid pick for entrepreneurs who want brand heritage combined with pedagogical depth. Investment: moderate; support includes curriculum, teacher training and marketing.

7. Bachpan / Bachpan Play School

Segment: Preschool/playschool chain

Why it ranks: Bachpan remains a widely-franchised early-years brand with a large national presence. Its model focuses on scalability, relatively lower capital needs and standardised operations — useful for investors targeting economies of scale across multiple small centres. Investment: low-to-moderate.

8. BYJU’S Learning Centres (offline)

Segment: EdTech hybrid/learning centres (K–12 tuition + blended learning)

Why it ranks: BYJU’S extended its digital success into offline learning centres and tuition franchises. The brand advantage is strong — app-based content, assessment frameworks and a ready customer funnel — but franchisees must factor in local competition and aggressive marketing. Investment: moderate; model varies by format and city.

9. The Tree House / The TreeHouse Playgroup-style brands

Segment: Premium preschool / early-years

Why it ranks: The Tree House (and similar premium early-years brands) targets affluent urban families seeking play-way pedagogy, child-centred spaces and strong safety standards. They work well in metro neighbourhoods and high-income suburbs where premium fees are acceptable. Investment: moderate-to-high (location and fit-out drive costs).

10. Regional & Emerging High-ROI Franchises (examples: Shemrock, Hello Kids, local chains)

Segment: Preschool & specialised education

Why it ranks: Beyond the national names, a set of regional franchises (Shemrock, Hello Kids, Cambridge Montessori, Grow Inn Steps and others) offer attractive ROI for local operators. These brands are often nimble on royalty/fee structures and offer flexible models such as FOCO (franchise-operated, company-owned) or single-site franchising. They’re ideal if you want lower upfront costs and faster break-even. Investment: low-to-moderate.

How we selected these — and what to watch in 2026

This list combines market-visible metrics (brand reach, franchise listings, recent industry roundups) and practical franchise considerations (curriculum support, training, brand reputation, and typical investment bands). Sources include franchise industry portals and education franchise roundups published in 2024–2025. Note that terminology differs between full K–12 “affiliations” and preschool “franchise” models; both are listed because investor appetite in 2026 remains strong across early-years and K–12 segments.

Quick checklist before you sign an education franchise

Brand & legal clarity: Confirm what the brand license covers (name, curriculum, marketing) and what ongoing fees/royalties are.

Territory & exclusivity: Ask about geographic exclusivity and student-level protections.

Curriculum & training: Evaluate the depth of teacher training and curriculum provisioning. Strong support reduces your operational risk.

Capital & payback: K–12 schools require larger capital and longer payback; preschools are faster to break even. Ask for case studies from existing franchisees.

Regulatory fit: Check local school registration, land-use laws and board affiliation requirements (CBSE / ICSE / State boards) — these can materially change timelines.

Exit & transfer terms: Franchise agreements should spell out handover/exit provisions if you later want to sell or convert the school.

Final thought

Education is a long-game investment. A reputable franchise can fast-track enrollment, brand trust and operational know-how — but success depends on location fit, quality of execution, pricing strategy and deep engagement with parents and the local community. For 2026, established preschool names (Kidzee, EuroKids, Podar) remain highly investible for rapid roll-out, while strong K–12 brands (DPS-affiliated models, Edify, Birla) are the choice for investors prepared for higher capex and longer horizons. Always perform local market due diligence and speak to multiple franchisees before committing.