Mayo College, located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, in northwestern India, sits on a sprawling 76-hectare campus. Resembling an oasis, the school grounds boast mature trees and lush green lawns, a striking contrast to the surrounding Rajasthan desert.

150 years ago, this institution exclusively served royalty. Its first student, the son of the King of Alwar, arrived for his first day of school in 1875 carried in a palanquin followed by 300 servants. Today, it shapes India's new elite.

Students play polo at the school.

Often called the "Eton of the East", Mayo College operates similarly to prestigious British boarding schools. Founded by the British Earl of Mayo, its initial purpose was to foster relationships between Indian and British royalty.

Eton College in England counts among its notable alumni Prince William, former British Prime Minister David Cameron, and other international leaders.

Two students practice the flute during music class.

The school has 850 students aged 9 to 18. While a few are descendants of royalty, most are children of government ministers, tycoons, diplomats, and high-ranking military officers.

Before classes begin, students, dressed in white shirts and navy blue jackets, gather for the morning flag ceremony, prayers, and discussions about current events. The curriculum, taught in English, includes science, foreign languages, literature, international relations, art, and music. Afternoons are dedicated to sports and physical activities.

A teacher interacts with students during a geography lesson at Mayo College.

The annual tuition is 11,500 USD, a substantial sum in a country with an average annual per capita income of around 2,300 USD.

For many families, the cost is justified. Mayo is one of just over 10 elite boarding schools in India, the world's most populous nation, which has 1.5 million educational institutions, over 40% of which lack computers.

"I had to send my two sons here because the school will prepare them for life," said Abhishek Singh Tak, who runs an event management company in Jodhpur and is a Mayo alumnus, standing in front of the school's magnificent marble main building. "Everything I have today started here."

His two sons, 10-year-old Nirbhay and 17-year-old Viren, live at the school for 9 months of the year. Nirbhay dreams of attending Oxford, while Viren aims for Delhi University or Sciences Po in France, hoping to become a diplomat.

Members of the student council during a meeting.

Students pour resin in the arts and crafts department.

Students wake up at dawn, go to bed at 9:30 pm, and follow a demanding academic schedule.

"We're so busy we don't have time to miss home," Arrin joked, making his classmates laugh. A year after leaving Mumbai, the 11-year-old feels content and comfortable at school. "The thing I miss most is my mom's cooking," he said.

Students and teachers in the hall.

Rajesh Soni, head of the junior school, acknowledges that the first few months can be challenging. As a result, Mayo has hired more psychologists and increased the number of female teachers and support staff.

"Our priority is to make this a happy place where students can discover their potential and achieve their personal goals," he said, noting that "everything is done to spark their curiosity."

Students dine in the school's dining hall.

"My son has built confidence and independence," shared Daakshi Bhide, 38, an English teacher at Mayo whose 10-year-old son is a boarder at the school.

Members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) march during India's Independence Day celebrations on 15/8.

Mayo College offers around 20 sports, from polo and golf to swimming, shooting, and tennis. The school boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 9-hole golf course, and stables for 60 horses.

Students march on roller skates during Independence Day celebrations on 15/8.

Arrin, whose parents are a doctor and a businesswoman, hopes to become a professional soccer player. An avid Ronaldo fan, he sees Mayo as his starting point.

One-third of the students plan to study abroad in the UK, Australia, or the US. Many others want to stay and contribute to the country's prosperity. 17-year-old Advaya Sidharth Bhatia hopes to start a business in his homeland and help his community.

Hong Hanh (According to AFP)