Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla

Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton founded the institution in 1859. It’s among Asia’s oldest residential schools. The goal of Bishop Cotton School Shimla (BCS), Shimla, is to give boys a strong, well-rounded education so they can graduate as honorable men who can compete with integrity and work to live up to the school’s motto, “Overcome evil with good,” both in their private and public lives.

It is situated on a 56-acre campus around 4 kilometers from Shimla’s downtown. A significant fire in 1905 damaged the main school, which was rebuilt in 1907. The majority of the classrooms, the senior boys’ dorm, the box room, and the offices are now located there.

The aim of this article is to elaborate on the legacy and history of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, its fee structure, alumni, its distinction from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, and different points of interest about Bishop Cotton Boys’ School’s fee payment plan and Bishop Cotton School’s notable alumni.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Campus

The Holy Trinity Chapel, located on the 56-acre site, is regarded as the center of the institution. The senior boys’ dormitory, offices, and classrooms are located in the main building. All school events, including lectures, plays, debates, and movie screenings, take place in the large and stately Irwin Hall. During mealtimes, the entire school can be seated in the spacious and tastefully decorated dining hall.

The most recent reference books and books on any topic are abundant in the Anderson library. Additionally, the school features a well-equipped gym. Twenty beds, an on-campus pharmacy, and two full-time medical staff members are available in the school infirmary to attend to patients’ medical requirements. There are visiting physicians ready for any kind of emergency.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla: History and Foundation

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, was established in 1865 during the “British Raj.” The inaugural Rev. Pettigrew set out to start a school with a high-quality education for children of European and Anglo-Indian families. The school was recognized with named after Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, a scholar and educator whose legacy was to establish the educational foundation for the Anglican Church in the community.

The school started in a small house on High Grounds, which is now the subject of the ITC Windsor Hotel. The school grew with the help of people such as George Uglow Pope, who obtained the existing 14-acre campus in Bangalore for Rs. 47,500. The school is under the management of the Karnataka Central Diocese, Church of South India; it is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) to provide ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) and has streams in Science, Commerce, and Humanities.

The motto of The Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla, “Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum” (Neither to the right, nor to the left) portrays the philosophy of perseverance and focus and encourages the boys to remain diligent and focused on their quality education. Bishop Cotton Boys’ School has been known to have some of the top-ranked schools in India, including a 100% pass rate for its ICSE and ISC examinations, and was rated as the No. 1 boys’ school in Bangalore and one of the top metro schools in India

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Admission

Boys are admitted to Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, starting at age 7. It is anticipated that every registered applicant will take part in the admissions process. Admission offers are determined by the vacancy and merit rating. Classes III through V are open for admission. The school year starts on March 1st and finishes on December 1st. Only merit is used to fill the extremely limited openings in Classes VI–IX, which are non-entry points.

Half-hour written exams in English, Hindi, math, and general awareness make up the admission exam. Additionally, there is a verbal and nonverbal evaluation as well as a reading assessment. The entrance exams are held in Delhi and Shimla during the second weekend of September. Apply online for the BCS entrance exam by sending an email to their official email.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Admissions Process

• Online Registration: Using the ‘APPLY’ option on the school’s official website, prospective students can start the Bishop Cotton School Admissions process. They can also phone 078077 36880 for help.
• Admission Test: Usually held early in the year, the Bishop Cotton School entrance exam will take place on the Shimla campus.  The school offers a Cambridge curriculum beginning in Class 9 and takes pride in its outstanding board exam performance.
• Test and School Presentation: Candidates will also get the chance to attend a presentation that offers an overview of the school’s beliefs and culture on the day of the test.
• Junior/Middle School Testing: Students must complete a math test and prepare an essay in English.
• Interview: The Headmaster or section heads will conduct an English-language interview with the shortlisted candidates.
• Additional Information: You can reach the Bishop Cotton School directly at (0177) 262 0880 if you need further information or help with admissions.
• Waiting Lists: It is recommended to apply early due to the strong demand, especially for Middle School, as waiting lists are frequent.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Fees Structure

The fee schedule at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, is adequate for the quality of education and facilities provided. The exact numbers vary every year and are determined by the grade level of the applicant, but the average monthly fee for day scholars is around INR 16,708 according to some sources. Fees for all students who require boarding will be higher; however, the boarding fee has not been publicly published to our knowledge in recent data.

Parents requesting the fee payment structure for Bishop Cotton Boys’ School are encouraged to visit (bishopcottonboysschool.edu.in) for the most recent Bishop Cotton Boys’ School fees payment information, which will provide information on various fee payment procedures, such as bank deposit or demand draft.

The admission process of the school is an entrance exam and interview; spaces will be allocated based on a student’s merit and available space. If parents have any questions about fees or how to pay fees, the school has established a support system at [email protected]. They will typically respond to your request within 48-72 hours, Monday – Friday.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Fees:

• Admission Fee                   :  Rs. 65,000/-
• Caution Money                 :  Rs. 3,00,000/- (Refundable)
• School Fee Class 3 – 10   :   Rs. 5,30,000/- Per Annum    (Subject to revision)
• School Fee Class 11-12    :  Rs. 5,65,000/- Per Annum    (Subject to revision)

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla

The Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, is often mixed up with Bishop Cotton School, Shimla (yes, both schools are separate!). Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, was also founded by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton and, since its founding in 1859, has become one of Asia’s oldest boys’ boarding schools. Located on 56 acres of land, known as “the school in the hills”, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, is located in Shimla and is affiliated to both CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) and Cambridge International. The school offers ICSE, ISC, and IGCSE curricula for boys in Classes 3 to 12.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Shimla Fees

The Bishop Cotton School Shimla fees for 2025:

• Admission Fee: ₹65,000 (non-refundable) for Indian students; ₹100,000 for students who are NRI/OCI.
• Caution Money: ₹300,000 (refundable ₹275,000 after deducting ₹25,000 in Old Cottonians Association membership).

Annual Tuition Fees:

• Classes 3–10, Indian students: ₹530,000; NRI/OCI students: ₹872,000
• Classes 11–12, Indian students: ₹565,000; NRI/OCI students: ₹872,000

Imprest Account

₹100,000 per annum for personal spending account

Pocket Money

₹5,000 (Classes 3-5) or ₹10,000 (Classes 6-12) deposited into your UCO Bank Account.

Fees must be paid in two installments via bank transfer. Deadlines will be communicated, and late payments may be penalized. The school does not have a scholarship that can be applied for or potentially offered, but is offering fee waivers for deserving students under special circumstances. Parents should confirm details from the Bishop Cotton School Shimla official website (bishopcottonshimla.com) or the admissions team if they require further details.

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla: Notable Alumni

Both the Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, and the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla have notable alumni, with their graduates excelling in various fields.

Notable Alumni at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla

The Bishop Cotton School Shimla notable alumni, called Old Cottonians, include:

• Ratan Tata: Former chairman of Tata Sons, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
• Ruskin Bond: Noted author.
• Jeev Milkha Singh: Professional golfer.
• Kumar Gaurav: Film actor.
• Lalit Modi: Former IPL chairman.
• Angad Bedi: Actor and model.

The school’s notable alumni represent the institution’s tradition of developing talent in business, arts, sports, and public service; many alumni credit their success to the structured environment and house system developed by BCS Shimla.

Conclusion

One of India’s best institutions, Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Shimla, is renowned for fusing traditional teaching methods with contemporary strategies. The school, which is committed to providing a well-rounded education that strikes a balance between academics and a range of extracurricular activities, is situated in the picturesque hills of Shimla.

The school helps its students become self-assured and responsible adults by emphasizing the development of leadership, moral principles, and social responsibility. Bishop Cotton School strives to assist each student in realizing their full potential via first-rate facilities, knowledgeable instructors, and an active student body.

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