Cities / Mumbai / Dhirubhai Ambani International School
Dhirubhai Ambani International School
Full-continuum school in BKC offering ICSE, IGCSE, and IB Diploma from LKG to Grade 12, founded in 2003 by Reliance Foundation. Ranked 9th globally for IB DP results in 2025 - the only Indian school in the world top 10.
In brief
DAIS is the school built by Reliance Industries and opened in 2003, with Nita Ambani as chairperson. Around 2,800 students on a BKC campus in Bandra East, running ICSE, IGCSE and the IB Diploma, and ranked the top international school in India by EducationWorld for more than a decade.
The campus sits on Trident Road in BKC, with a 6:1 student to teacher ratio and accreditations from CIS and NEASC. ICSE is being phased out, with the last cohort sitting boards in March 2026. Fees range from around INR 1.7 lakh in the early years to nearly INR 10 lakh in the Diploma. IB Diploma results sit consistently among the highest in India.
Families talk about academic rigour, world-class facilities, and routes into elite global universities. The recurring caveats are a wealth profile among the most concentrated of any Mumbai school, the social pressure that comes with it, and admission that is genuinely hard outside Reliance circles. Best fit for academically able children whose families can carry the fees and want the strongest Diploma launchpad in India.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| LKG to Class 7 (ICSE) | 4 | ₹170,000 |
| Class 8 to Class 10 (ICSE) | 13 | ₹448,000 |
| Class 8 to Class 10 (IGCSE) | 13 | ₹1,023,800 |
| Class 11 to Class 12 (IB Diploma) | 16 | ₹965,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Fee (Class 7-10) | ₹73,000 | |
| Admission Fee (Class 11-12 IBDP) | ₹95,800 |
Reviews
- DAIS is the most-discussed school in this batch. Public signal sits across multiple sources, with consistent themes across them.
- Academic intensity and outcomes are the headline strength. Parents and students cite IB Diploma scores and university destinations including the Ivy League; one parent commented that "DAIS, oberoi, ABWA etc like those have most ivy league selections in India".
- Academic pressure is the headline weakness. Parents and students call it "unreal" and "not conducive", with limited room to explore personal interests, alongside comments contrasting Malabar Hills students with Dharavi peers.
- Fee discussion is unusually concrete. Parents cite published annual fees of around 9 to 15 lakh, with one commenter alleging that admissions outside the public process require donations of more than 50 lakh and connections.
- Wealth and social-fit themes recur. Parents and observers describe a tight elite circle, with status display flagged as a daily-life feature.
Positives
- Academic outcomes. Strong IB Diploma scores and Ivy League placements anchor the school's reputation
- Facilities. The seven-storey green-rated campus, labs, library, and AstroTurf draw consistent praise
Considerations
- Academic pressure. Students and Quora respondents flag intense pressure and limited space to explore personal interests
- Admissions and donations. Reddit comments allege large donations and personal connections are required for admissions outside the public route
- Wealth and social fit. Settled elite networking environment is a feature for some families and a deterrent for others
Leadership
Mr. Abhimanyu Basu
Abhimanyu Basu is the Dean and CEO of Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) and Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS), bringing over 27 years of international education experience. He has served in various capacities within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, including as a Teacher, Senior Examiner, Workshop Leader, and Presenter at global conferences. He is committed to holistic student development and has led DAIS’s transition to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
Academic results
- IB DP Average 2025 Top 10 globally
- Global Ranking 2025 9th worldwide (IBDP)