Speculation around Doon School's potential shift to a co-educational model has been put to rest—for now. The prestigious boys-only boarding school, founded in 1935, has issued a formal clarification stating that no decision has been made to introduce co-education. This comes after an internal discussion note from the headmaster sparked widespread debate and concern among alumni.

The headmaster, Dr. Jagpreet Singh, had earlier sent a communication to the Indian Public Schools Society (IPSS)—Doon’s governing body—on March 17, attaching a four-page document exploring the idea of introducing girls into the student body. The memo cited recent research questioning the academic advantages of single-gender education and highlighted how many schools globally are embracing co-ed models.

However, what was meant to be an internal proposal for discussion quickly escalated into a public controversy. Many alumni voiced their unease, fearing a shift could dilute the school’s heritage and culture.

To calm the storm, Anoop Singh Bishnoi, Chairman of the Board of Governors, issued a clarification on April 7. He emphasized that the headmaster’s memo was only a discussion note—not a policy shift. Bishnoi assured stakeholders that no changes would be made without majority consensus from the IPSS and broader alumni community.

In his message, Bishnoi reaffirmed: “We have not taken any decision to make Doon School a co-educational institution. This is a matter that will only be pursued further if it aligns with the vision and collective agreement of our extended school community.”

For now, the Doon School will remain a boys-only institution—but the conversation about its future has undeniably begun.