What if raising a child in a big Indian city could cost nearly Rs 6.75 crore? That is the question currently making waves online after finance advisor and content creator Udayan Adhye shared a video claiming that parents in metro cities may need to spend close to this amount over the course of raising a child. The figure quickly caught people’s attention because it is far higher than what many families may expect when they think about the cost of parenting. Adhye’s calculation looks beyond school fees and includes several expenses that can quietly add up over two decades. His larger argument is simple: raising a child is not only an emotional responsibility but also a long-term financial commitment.
Why the cost could add up so quickly
According to Adhye, education is one of the biggest reasons behind the rising cost of raising children in urban India. He claimed that school fees can increase by around 10-12 percent every year. At that rate, education expenses can grow dramatically over time, making today’s affordable fees look very different when a child reaches their teenage years. He also used the example of higher education. A college degree that costs around Rs 20 lakh today, he suggested, could potentially cost between Rs 1.6 crore and Rs 2 crore by the time a newborn turns 18, assuming education costs continue rising at a high rate. The calculation is based on projected future expenses rather than what parents would necessarily spend today.
It is not just about school and college
One of the key points in Adhye’s video was that tuition fees are only one part of the equation. Parents may also spend money on:1. Sports and extracurricular activities2. Music and other classes3. Coaching and competitive exam preparation4. Healthcare5. Gadgets and technology6. Family vacations7. Lifestyle expenses8. Childcare and nanny servicesThese costs may appear small when considered individually. However, over many years, they can become a significant part of a family’s total spending. For families living in metropolitan cities, where education, housing, childcare, and lifestyle costs are generally higher, these expenses can become even more substantial.
Why traditional child plans may not be enough
Adhye also questioned whether conventional child investment plans are sufficient to meet the rising cost of parenting. His argument is that parents often save based on the expenses they see today without fully accounting for inflation. If education costs rise much faster than expected, a savings amount that looks comfortable now may not be enough years later. This is why he encouraged parents to think about children’s expenses as long-term financial goals rather than treating them as costs that can be handled when they arrive.However, the Rs 6.75 crore figure is an estimate, not a universal amount that every Indian family will need. The actual cost can differ significantly depending on location, school, college, lifestyle, healthcare needs, and the choices parents make for their children.
The internet wants to see the calculation
The video quickly gained traction on Instagram, with viewers asking Adhye to share the detailed calculation behind the headline figure. In the video, he invited people interested in the numbers to comment or send him a direct message so he could share a Google document containing the calculation. His caption also summed up his argument by describing raising a child in an Indian metro as a serious financial goal rather than simply an emotional decision.
A viral number, but a real conversation
Whether parents agree with the Rs 6.75 crore estimate or not, the viral calculation has started an important conversation about the changing economics of parenthood. The number may look shocking, but the underlying message is easier to understand: the cost of raising a child does not arrive in one large bill. It builds slowly through thousands of decisions made over 18 to 21 years. For parents, the bigger question may not be whether they need exactly Rs 6.75 crore but whether they have realistically planned for the rising costs that could come with raising a child.
