Doon School vs Mayo College vs Scindia School: Which Is Best for Boys 2027?
By Truemaths, Last Updated 19 Oct, 2026 5 min read
- All three are all-boys boarding schools with over a century of history — but they differ in fees, entry age, board, location, and culture.
- The Scindia School is the most affordable at Rs. 10,71,500 per year. Mayo College charges Rs. 11,52,000. The Doon School charges Rs. 14,54,000 to Rs. 16,54,000.
- Mayo admits the earliest — from Class IV. Scindia from Class VI. Doon only from Class VII and VIII.
- Doon offers ICSE, ISC, and IB. Mayo and Scindia both offer CBSE and Cambridge CAIE.
Introduction
Three schools. Three very different answers to the same question: what does an exceptional Indian boarding school for boys look like?
The Doon School was built to be India’s great meritocratic institution. Mayo College was built in the shadow of an empire, for the sons of maharajas. The Scindia School was founded on a fort that has watched over Gwalior for a thousand years. Each carries a history that shapes its present. And each attracts a different kind of family, and a different kind of boy.
This guide compares all three across every dimension that matters, using only verified data from official school websites.
Three Schools at a Glance
| The Doon School | Mayo College | The Scindia School | |
| Founded | 1935 | 1875 | 1897 |
| Location | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Ajmer, Rajasthan | Gwalior Fort, MP |
| Campus | 70 acres | 187 acres | Historic Fort campus |
| Board | ICSE, ISC, IB Diploma | CBSE and CAIE | CBSE and CAIE |
| Entry Classes | VII and VIII only | IV to IX, XI (limited) | VI, VII, VIII (main) |
| Annual Fee (2026-27) | Rs. 14.54 to 16.54 lakh | Rs. 11.52 lakh | Rs. 10.71 lakh |
| Teacher-Student Ratio | 1:8 | 1:9 | Not published |
| Alumni Called | Doscos | Mayoites | Scindians |
| Vision | Meritocratic India | Let There Be Light | Future leaders, global perspective, Indian ethos |
Which School Has the Strongest Historical Legacy?
Mayo College is the oldest of the three, founded in 1875 by Lord Mayo, then Viceroy of India. Built across 187 acres in the Aravalli foothills of Ajmer, it was originally established for the sons of Indian princes and nobles. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture, its scale, and its 150-year institutional history give it a presence unlike any other school in India. Its alumni are called Mayoites, and their society: MCOBS, remains one of the most active school alumni networks in the country.
The Scindia School was founded in 1897 by Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia I on the historic Gwalior Fort. Perched above the city of Gwalior on a sandstone plateau, it is the only school in India located on an active heritage monument. Its vision, as stated on the official school website, is to be the pre-eminent centre of learning in the country, producing future leaders with a global perspective and an Indian ethos. The school presents the Madhav Award annually since 1984 to recognise distinguished old boys.
The Doon School, founded in 1935 by S.R. Das, is the youngest of the three. Its mission, confirmed from doonschool.com, is to attract and develop exceptional boys from all backgrounds to serve a meritocratic India. Despite being the youngest, it has built arguably the most influential alumni network of any school in India, with two former Prime Ministers, multiple chief ministers, celebrated authors, diplomats, and sporting icons among its Doscos.
How Do the Fees Compare?
This is often the first question families ask. All fee figures below are confirmed from official school websites.
| Fee Type | The Doon School | Mayo College | The Scindia School |
| Annual School Fee | Rs. 14,54,000 (ICSE/ISC) / Rs. 16,54,000 (IB) | Rs. 11,52,000 | Rs. 10,71,500 |
| Admission Fee (one-time) | Rs. 5,00,000 | Rs. 2,50,000 | Rs. 2,50,000 |
| Security/Caution (refundable) | Rs. 7,00,000 | Rs. 5,76,000 | Rs. 3,50,000 |
| Source | doonschool.com | mayocollege.com | scindia.edu |
The annual fee difference between Scindia and Doon is approximately Rs. 4 lakh. Over five years, that difference exceeds Rs. 20 lakh — a significant consideration for families comparing all three. All schools also charge one-time admission fees and refundable deposits that add substantially to first-year costs. Fees are revised annually at all three schools.
Which School Admits the Earliest?
Entry age is often the deciding factor for families of younger boys.
| School | Main Entry Classes | Earliest Age |
| Mayo College | IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX | 8 to 9 years (Class IV) |
| The Scindia School | VI, VII, VIII | Not more than 11 years (Class VI) |
| The Doon School | VII and VIII only | Over 11, under 12 (Class VII) |
Mayo College offers the widest entry window and the earliest start. A family that wants their son in a boarding school from age 8 can send him to Mayo from Class IV. The school’s junior years are designed to ease younger boys into residential life progressively.
The Scindia School admits from Class VI which is the earliest of the three for the middle school range. Age criteria as on 1 January of the year of admission: not more than 11 for Class VI, 12 for Class VII, and 13 for Class VIII.
The Doon School is the most restrictive. Entry is only at Class VII (over 11, under 12 as of September) or Class VIII (over 12, under 13). There are no admissions after Class VIII under any circumstances.
How Do the Admission Processes Compare?
The Doon School
Confirmed from the official Doon School admissions guide, the process has three stages:
| Stage | What Is Assessed | Weighting |
| Written Test | English, Mathematics, Reasoning and Case Study. No Hindi. | 70% |
| Group Discussion | Reasoning, listening, teamwork — with 4 boys | 30% |
| Personal Interview | Character, curiosity, suitability | Final stage |
The school explicitly discourages coaching and tutoring, stating in its official admissions guide that a boy who needs a tutor to get in should consider another school. The written test for AY 2026-27 was held on 9 August 2026.
Mayo College
Confirmed from mayocollege.com, the process has four stages:
| Stage | What Happens | Timing |
| Registration | Online form and documents | Rolling |
| Common Aptitude Analysis (CAA) | English and Mathematics only | October every year |
| Interaction | Student and parents with Education Committee | November to January |
| Admission Offer | Merit-based decision | Post-interaction |
The Scindia School
Confirmed from scindia.edu, students choose between two assessment pathways:
| Assessment | Subjects | Timing |
| SAA-I (Scindia Aptitude Analysis I) | Mathematics, English, Hindi | Fourth Saturday of September |
| SAA-II (Scindia Aptitude Analysis II) | Mathematics, English, General Awareness | January or February |
Shortlisted students are invited to the school for an Interactive Session covering games, sports, co-curricular activities, and interaction with faculty. Class XI assessment is held in the last week of March.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best school among Doon, Mayo, and Scindia?
No single answer. Doon is the most selective with ICSE/ISC/IB options. Mayo is the oldest and admits the earliest. Scindia is the most affordable with a unique Gwalior Fort campus. The right school depends on your son’s age, board preference, and budget.
Which school is cheapest among Doon, Mayo, and Scindia?
The Scindia School at Rs. 10,71,500 per year. Mayo College charges Rs. 11,52,000. The Doon School charges Rs. 14,54,000 (ICSE/ISC) or Rs. 16,54,000 (IB). All figures confirmed from official school websites for 2026-27.
At what age can my son join each school?
Mayo from Class IV (age 8 to 9). Scindia from Class VI (not more than 11 years as on 1 January). Doon from Class VII (over 11, under 12) or Class VIII only. No admissions to Doon after Class VIII.
Which school offers the IB Diploma?
Only The Doon School. Mayo College and The Scindia School offer CBSE and Cambridge CAIE (IGCSE and AS/A Levels).
How are the admission processes different?
Doon: written test, group discussion, personal interview. Mayo: Common Aptitude Analysis in October (English and Maths), then interaction. Scindia: SAA-I (English, Maths, Hindi) or SAA-II (English, Maths, General Awareness), then an Interactive Session at the school.
Key Takeaways
- The Scindia School is the most affordable at Rs. 10.71 lakh, Mayo College is mid-range at Rs. 11.52 lakh, and The Doon School is the most expensive at Rs. 14.54 to 16.54 lakh annually.
- Mayo College admits the youngest boys from Class IV. Scindia from Class VI. Doon only from Class VII and VIII — with no entry after Class VIII.
- The Doon School is the only one of the three offering the IB Diploma. Mayo and Scindia both offer CBSE and Cambridge CAIE.
- All three schools are all-boys, fully residential, and have produced men who have shaped Indian public life — the difference lies in which school suits your son’s age, academic goals, and the culture you want him immersed in.
