If you want to admit your child into an intermediate college, you’ll find that most college managements demand a significant portion of the fees in black. Some institutions go as far as insisting that the entire fee be paid in cash—completely off the books.
There’s even a well-known, top-ranked private university based in Hyderabad that collects the entire fee in black and pays hefty salaries to its staff, also entirely in black money.
The intermediate colleges affiliated with this university are reportedly charging around Rs 8 lakh for +2 education — a shocking amount for pre-university studies. All that amount should be paid only in cash.
The same trend is observed in many so-called elite private nursery, elementary, and high schools. These schools target wealthy parents who, out of love for their children, are willing to spend lavishly. But beyond air-conditioned classrooms and quality food, the education offered is often no different from regular schools.
This black money practice doesn’t end there. Engineering and medical colleges also collect large sums under the table — especially for management quota and paid seats — where a significant portion of the fee remains unaccounted for.
Despite the push for a digital economy under Narendra Modi’s Digital India initiative, where sectors like healthcare and banking have embraced digital transactions and minimized cash usage, educational institutions remain one of the few sectors still openly hoarding bundles of cash.
When questioned about the need for such cash accumulation, an insider revealed: "These colleges literally buy the boards and ensure their students get top marks — so there are no failures, and almost every student is a high scorer. This boosts their reputation, helping them attract more students. To pay off the boards, they need untraceable cash. That’s where this fee in black comes in. Moreover, many of these institutions are run by politicians who require liquid cash during elections. So the black money cycle continues."
And that, folks, is the story behind the silent, unchecked black money empire thriving in India’s education sector.
