Case Study

CBSE K‑12 Market Study — Delhi/NCR

Last updated: 14 Sep 2025 • ~6–7 min read

Snapshot

We carried out a comprehensive market study to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a premium CBSE K‑12 day school in Delhi/NCR. The study covered catchment profiling, competitor benchmarking, stakeholder interviews, regulatory path, capacity & infrastructure concept, fee/opex model, and admissions GTM.

  • Catchment deep‑dive: demographics, income tiers, commute patterns & housing pipeline
  • Competitor scan across CBSE/ICSE/IB/CAIE—capacity, fees, facilities & positioning
  • Parent decision drivers & price‑value thresholds; admissions calendar & seasonality
  • Phased capacity & infra concept, staffing and fee model; 12‑month launch roadmap
  • Client name withheld; details generalized.

Outcomes

  • Go‑ahead recommendation for a premium CBSE day school with scalable co‑scholastic edge
  • Preferred micro‑markets identified with 10–12 km bus‑route feasibility
  • Capacity & infra concept, fee bands, staffing model, and admissions plan sequenced
  • 12‑month execution plan from approvals to brand, hiring, and cohort build‑up

Objectives

  • Assess feasibility of a premium CBSE school with realistic Year‑1/Year‑3 enrolment
  • Profile catchment—demography, income tiers, commute & school‑going cohorts
  • Benchmark competition—fees, facilities, academics, transport & brand
  • Map regulatory path—state norms & CBSE; RTE, safety, infra & staffing guardrails
  • Design capacity & infra concept with staffing/opex model and fee bands
  • Plan admissions GTM—calendar, segments, channels, and proof artifacts

Findings & Red Flags

What we found
  • Delhi/NCR shows sustained demand for premium CBSE day schools in well‑connected residential hubs
  • Parent preference: English‑medium, safety, transport reliability, visible activities & learning outcomes
  • Willingness‑to‑pay in the INR 1–2 lakh p.a. range for strong academics + co‑scholastic programs
  • Admissions peak in Nov–Mar; early pipeline building and counselor/parent community outreach matter
Risks & watch‑outs
  • Phase approvals & staffing prudently; avoid overbuilding in Year‑1
  • Quality teacher hiring/retention—plan early offers, housing/transport & CPD
  • Fee elasticity—use transparent pricing, early‑bird, and sibling/transport bundles
  • RTE obligations & compliance calendar—bake into seat planning and docs

Catchment & Competition

Catchment signals
  • Primary micro‑markets shortlisted within Delhi/NCR based on access, density & WTP
  • Family cohorts with school‑going children; preference for premium CBSE day schools
  • Metro & arterial connectivity reduce commute friction; supports 10–12 km bus routes
  • Real‑estate pipeline supports steady enquiry flow over 3–5 years
Competitor scan
  • Premium CBSE/ICSE supply varies by sub‑market; clear gaps in co‑scholastic & transport
  • Fee bands vary widely; transport & activities act as swing factors
  • Differentiation via safety, labs/sports, teacher‑led pedagogy & outcomes storytelling

12‑Month Launch Plan

Months 0–4
  • Approvals path & architectural schematics
  • Brand identity, admissions microsite, enquiry funnels
  • Leadership & seed teacher hiring; bus route planning
Months 5–8
  • Parent sessions; counselor & community partnerships
  • Labs/sports procurement; safety & SOP documentation
  • Fee communication; early‑bird & sibling policies
Months 9–12
  • Final approvals; transport dry‑runs & staff induction
  • Campus showcase events; evidence capture & testimonials
  • Route optimization; enrolment ramp & Grade‑wise section fill

Key Deliverables

  • Catchment & demographic analysis with school‑going cohort sizing
  • Competitor benchmarking (fees, facilities, transport, outcomes)
  • Parent insights—decision drivers, objections & price‑value bands
  • Capacity & infrastructure concept with staffing/opex model
  • Regulatory path (state & CBSE) and compliance checklist
  • 12‑month launch & admissions plan with KPIs