Raising a Child in India Could Cost ₹1.39 Crore, Says Influencer – Net Reacts

When Vikhyat Singh posted a short Instagram reel last week, he probably didn’t expect it to turn into a full‑blown internet debate. In the clip, the content creator calmly lists a laundry‑list of expenses – from pregnancy check‑ups to school fees, gadgets and even a bigger flat – and arrives at a staggering total: roughly ₹1.39 crore (about $170,000) to raise a child up to the age of eighteen.

He begins with the early stage, saying parents might shell out around ₹3 lakh for prenatal care, medical tests, maternity wear and a private‑hospital delivery. “Just the first few months already feel like a down‑payment on a house,” he jokes, before moving on.

According to Singh’s rough math, the first two years of a baby’s life would cost about ₹6 lakh – diapers, formula, vaccinations and other necessities. Food from ages two to eighteen? He puts that at ₹15 lakh. Education, unsurprisingly, tops the chart at ₹33 lakh, covering play‑school, school fees, books, uniforms and occasional trips.

He then adds more line items: tuition (₹9 lakh), healthcare (₹5.4 lakh), entertainment (₹9 lakh), clothing (₹7.2 lakh), gadgets (₹4 lakh), sports & extracurriculars (₹8 lakh), transport (₹8 lakh) and the extra rent for a larger home (₹32.4 lakh). All told, the sum nudges just over ₹1.39 crore.

Singh concedes the figure is probably a low‑ball estimate – he didn’t factor in college fees, inflation or the opportunity cost of investing that money elsewhere. “If you really think about it, it could easily breach ₹2 crore,” he says, half‑smiling, comparing the amount to the on‑road price of a BMW M4 Competition.

The video went viral within hours. Some netizens were quick to point out that money can’t capture the “little hugs” and lifelong joy a child brings. One comment read, “We work, we earn, but love and purpose aren’t on a spreadsheet.” Others praised the reel for forcing couples to confront financial realities before diving into parenthood, calling it an “eye‑opener.”

Not everyone was sympathetic. A few users warned that such a “financial mindset” might discourage people from having kids, arguing that love shouldn’t be reduced to a ledger. Still, many appreciated Singh’s candidness, noting how the post reminded them of the sacrifices older generations made.

Whether you see the number as a warning, a joke, or a wake‑up call, the conversation is clear: parenting in India carries a hefty price tag, but the intangible rewards – the smiles, the milestones, the shared memories – remain priceless for many.