Awards & Recognitions

World's Largest School Recognition 2023 was given to CMS by Guinness World Records.

"The largest school in terms of pupils is the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, which had a record enrolment of 61,345 pupils on 10 August 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year."


Dr Jagdish Gandhi awarded at global PIEoneer Awards 2021, UK

Dr Jagdish Gandhi, Founder-Manager of City Montessori School, Lucknow has been awarded at the Global PIEoneer Awards, UK. Out of the six finalists from all over the world, only two outstanding individuals, Dr Vivienne Stern from UK and Dr Jagdish Gandhi from India were finally selected for the coveted award. Dr Gandhi has been conferred this award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to the (Education) Industry’. At a glittering ceremony held in London UK, the Jury highlighted Dr Jagdish Gandhi's lifelong commitment to reimagining education as a vehicle for world unity and peace.


Dr Jagdish Gandhi Awarded an Honorary Doctorate
by Queen’s University Belfast

Lucknow, 25 September:In a matter of pride for the country and the city, Dr Jagdish Gandhi, Founder of City Montessori School, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science Honoris Causa by Queen’s University Belfast, UK.

The citation of the Honorary Doctorate read, “Dr Gandhi is a world-renowned educationist and a true visionary in his field. He co-founded (with his wife Dr Bharti Gandhi) the City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, India, in 1959. Sixty years later, the school has grown from 5 pupils to 55,000 and is recognised as the world’s largest school. Size, however, is not its distinguishing feature but rather the global citizenship focus, which underpins CMS’s educational ethos. Dr Gandhi has crafted meaningful initiatives to create a wider set of circumstances for peace and conflict prevention at a local, national and international level, including 28 international events aimed at inspiring world unity.”

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, conferred the degree on Dr Gandhi for his distinguished services to education. Dr Gandhi’s daughter Nita Gandhi Forouhi who is Professor of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, received the award on Dr Gandhi’s behalf as he could not attend the ceremony in person.

Expressing happiness, Dr Gandhi said, “I am humbled to receive this honour. It is great recognition for the entire CMS family and the belief that our parents and citizens of Lucknow have placed in us. This recognition has been possible because of our dedicated teachers and brilliant students who have put the school on the world map and earned global acclaim with their enormous achievements.”

For more information, please see the website of Queen's University Belfast - https://www.qub.ac.uk/home/chancellor-installation-ceremony/honorary-graduands/

Installation and Honorary Graduation Ceremony booklet


Dr Jagdish Gandhi & Dr Bharti Gandhi awarded
'Lifetime Achievement Award' by their own former students

Awards & Recognitions

Lucknow, 10 July: Being acknowledged for their services by their own students is the best honour teachers can get. They feel elated to see that the children they nurtured are today so accomplished that they can reward their own teachers. Founders of City Montessori school, Dr Jagdish Gandhi and Dr (Mrs) Bharti Gandhi felt these emotions today when they were felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by CMS Alumni Association at a grand felicitation ceremony organized at Hotel Clarks Awadh. On behalf of CMS alumni, Mr Brijesh Pathak, Minister of Law and Justice, UP presented a citation and memento to Dr Jagdish Gandhi and Dr Bharti Gandhi for their services to the cause of education. Mr Anis Ansari, IAS, Former Chief Secretary, UP; Mr Durgesh Upadhyay, Media Advisor, UPEIDA; Mrs Kiran Bala Chaudhary, RTI Commissioner; Lt. Col. Prashant Kumar Singh, ADRM; Dr Saubhagya Vardhan, CMD, Oikoshreem; Mr Abhishek Kumar Pathak, IPS, DIG, SSB Lucknow (UP); Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, President and MD, CMS; Mr Roshan Gandhi, Chief Executive Officer, CMS; Ms Susmita Basu, Head, Quality Assurance and Innovation Dept., CMS and many other eminent personalities were present on the occasion to add glory to the rare occasion.


World's Largest School Recognition 2019 was given to CMS by Guinness World Records.

"The largest school in terms of pupils is the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, which had a record enrolment of 55,547 pupils on 16 January 2019 for the 2019-2020 academic year." The school presently has over 56,000 pupils.


Lucknow University confers Lifetime Achievement Award on CMS Founder Dr Jagdish Gandhi

On 28 April, 2018, CMS Founder-Manager, Dr Jagdish Gandhi was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by the University of Lucknow for his long, dedicated and exemplary services to the noble cause of education. The award was presented by the Deputy Chief Minister of U.P., Dr Dinesh Sharma in the presence of the VC Lucknow University, Prof. S. P. Singh and other dignitaries. Dr Jagdish Gandhi was the elected President of Students’ Union at the University of Lucknow in 1959. He was an exemplary student and became a world class leader who rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned educationist and Founder of the world’s largest school recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records with over 55,000 students on its rolls and received the 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.


Education World magazine honours Dr Jagdish Gandhi with Lifetime Achievement Award

Lifetime Achievement Award to CMS Founder Dr Jagdish Gandhi

Dr Jagdish Gandhi, Founder-Manager of CMS was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Education World Magazine on 23 September 2017 at The Leela Hotel in Gurugram. At this function, India's top 200 schools out of the country's total 14 lakh schools were honoured for giving quality education. Several other prominent personalities were also present at the function at which Dr Gandhi's detailed citation was read to rapturous applause and a standing ovation.


‘Devi Award’ to Dr Bharti Gandhi for unparalleled contribution to education of women

Mr Rajnath Singh presenting the award to Dr Gandhi

CMS Founder-Director Dr Bharti Gandhi was honoured with 'Devi Award' by the Home Minister, Hon'ble Mr Rajnath Singh at a grand felicitation function held under the aegis of The Sunday Standard of New Indian Express Newspaper. Union Home Minister, Hon'ble Mr Rajnath Singh presented a memento and a certificate to Dr Bharti Gandhi for unparalleled contributions to education and women’s empowerment.


Award by the CISCE, New Delhi



Dr Jagdish Gandhi awarded the honorary doctorate degree given by the Inca Garcilaso University, Peru, 2014


Dr Jagdish Gandhi, Founder of City Montessori School was conferred with the prestigious Honorary Doctorate Degree by Inca Garcilaso University in Peru on 15 October 2014 in recognition of his 55 years of continuous efforts in the direction of World Unity and World Peace at global level.

FACULTY OF LAW, University of San Martin de Porres awarded Diploma Recognition to Dr Jagdish Gandhi considering his important participation as an exhibitor at the conference 'THE ROLE OF JUDGES IN THE CULTURE OF PEACE' organized by the Superior Court of Lima and Law at the University of San Martin de Porres on October 13, 2014


Dr Jagdish Gandhi receives the 'Yash Bharti Award'
by the Uttar Pradesh Government, India


'Culture of Peace Award' presented to Dr Jagdish Gandhi and Dr Bharti Gandhi
by Goi Peace Foundation and World Peace Prayer Society, Japan



Education World survey ranks CMS on the top for Internationalism in schools

As per the India School Rankings 2012 released in the September issue of the Education World magazine, CMS has scored the maximum of 89 points in 'internationalism,' which is one of the 14 parameters of excellence on which the survey was conducted to list the country's top schools. According to the Chief Editor of Education World Mr Dilip Thakore, internationalism as a parameter to judge schools' performance was introduced to impact the importance of promoting a broad-minded globalism among students in an incrementally globalising world.
At this nation-wide survey conducted by the premier market research and polling company C fore, Delhi, CMS was recognised for organising 32 international events and sending student delegations to participate in various international camps and conferences every year with a view to provide global exposure to its students and teach them lessons of world unity, world peace and global brotherhood. Besides the above, in this survey CMS has been placed on 6th position nationally in two categories viz., 'Value of Money' and 'Leadership/Management Quality' and on the 7thposition for 'Community Service.'
For this achievement, CMS was awarded a Special Merit Award at the Education World India Schools Ranking Awards ceremony held in New Delhi on 29 September 2012. President and Chief Operating Officer of CMS, Prof Geeta Kingdon and Head of CMS Quality Assurance and Innovation Department, Mrs Susmita Basu received the honour on behalf of the school.

Dr Jagdish Gandhi receiving the honorary doctorate in law bestowed by the University of Conception del Uruguay, republic of Argentina on 21st August 2012


Dr Jagdish Gandhi receiving the honorary doctorate in law given by the University of Mendoza, Republic of Argentina on 23rd August 2012


Gusi Peace Prize awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi


Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines


Certificate of Appreciation of Holistic Education awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by Asian Congress for Media and Communication, Philippines

Plaque of Extraordinary Global Distinction awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by Economic Development Strategists Institute Inc, Philippines


Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by Saint Francis of Assisi College, Philippines

Founder Manager, City Montessori School [CMS], Dr Jagdish Gandhi receives the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award presented by Seemapuri Times Magazine, New Delhi


The Hope of Humanity Award

As per the India School Rankings 2012 released in the September issue of the Education World magazine, CMS has scored the maximum of 89 points in 'internationalism,' which is one of the 14 parameters of excellence on which the survey was conducted to list the country's top schools. According to the Chief Editor of Education World Mr Dilip Thakore, internationalism as a parameter to judge schools' performance was introduced to impact the importance of promoting a broad-minded globalism among students in an incrementally globalising world.
At this nation-wide survey conducted by the premier market research and polling company C fore, Delhi, CMS was recognised for organising 32 international events and sending student delegations to participate in various international camps and conferences every year with a view to provide global exposure to its students and teach them lessons of world unity, world peace and global brotherhood. Besides the above, in this survey CMS has been placed on 6th position nationally in two categories viz., 'Value of Money' and 'Leadership/Management Quality' and on the 7thposition for 'Community Service.'

Honorary Doctorate Degree in Education, Russia 2009

Honorary Doctorate Degree in Education 2009 by Bashkir State Pedagogical University, Ufa, Russia, was awarded to Mr Jagdish Gandhi in recognition of his efforts spanning over 50 years towards ‘Creating a World Fit for Children and Generations Yet-to-be born’.

Guinness World Record Certificate, World Level
Certificate last updated in 2010

CMS received an updated certificate in October 2010 from the Guinness World Records that stated:
‘‘The largest school in terms of pupils is the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, which had a record enrolment of 39,437 pupils on 9 August 2010 for the 2010-2011 academic year.’’
CMS received this Guinness Award in 1999. Since then it has continued to break its own record over the years.

Computer Literacy Excellence Award, Government of India 2008

Computer Literacy Excellence Award 2008 was handed over to CMS Kanpur Road Campus by Mr Jyotiraditya Mahavrao Scindia, Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and IT at the All India Prize Distribution Ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Bandaranaike Global Excellence Award, Sri Lanka 2007

The Bandaranaika Global Excellence Award 2007 was awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi for his outstanding and par excellence contribution to quality movement the world over including Sri Lanka. Dr Gandhi has been instrumental in bringing about a paradigm shift in quality movement by launching Quality Circles in Schools in 1993 and later spreading the philosophy of Kaizen and quality circles as an integral part of total quality management (TQM) and for creating a worldwide movement for global quality in education.

Computer Literacy Excellence Award Government of India 2005

Computer Literacy Excellence Award 2005 was given to CMS Aliganj Campus by Hon Mr A Raja, Union Minister For Information Technology, Government of India, and received by Mrs Gauri Khanna, Principal.

Ashoka Changemakers Innovation Award, World Level 2005

Ashoka Changemakers Innovation Award 2005 was given to CMS for being an exemplary school and a role model to the world.

Bhartiya Awam Society UP Award, India 2005

Bhartiya Awam Society UP Award 2005 was given to CMS by Bhartiya Awam Society UP for its unique working and dedication to world peace and universal brotherhood.

Nuclear–Free Future Award, India 2004

Nuclear-Free Future Special Achievement Award was awarded to City Montessori School as special recognition of its mission to make the future nuclear-free on behalf of the world's children.

Peaceful Schools International Recognition Canada 2004

Peaceful Schools International Award 2004 was given by Peaceful Schools International, Canada, to City Montessori School for its contribution in building a Global Network of Peaceful Schools.

Life Link Campaign Recognition, Sweden 2004

Life Link Campaign Award 2004 was given by Life Link Campaign for CMS contribution to Youth Caring and Sharing Peace Actions.

Computer Literacy Excellence Award, Government of India 2004

Computer Literacy Excellence Award 2004 was awarded to CMS Gomti Nagar Campus by the President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and received by Ms Manjit Batra, Principal, at the All India Prize Distribution Ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

World’s Children Prize for the Rights of the Child, Sweden 2004

Global Friend of World's Children 2004 title was given to CMS by the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child by Children's World, Sweden

Computer Literacy Excellence Award, Government of India 2003

Computer Literacy Excellence Award 2003 was awarded to CMS Kanpur Road Campus by the President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and received by Dr (Mrs) V Kamran, Principal, at the All India Prize Distribution Ceremony organised at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Verdlaun Excellence Award, Iceland 2003

Council for Global Education's Excellence Award 2003 was given to CMS by Islensku Menntasamtokian Ses, the Education Society of Iceland, for Excellence in Academics.

Key to the City of Georgetown, USA 2002

The Key to the City of Georgetown, USA, was awarded to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr Everrete Varney, on behalf of all its citizens for being a ‘true visionary’ in the field of education. Dr Gandhi has introduced the concept of Quality Control Circles in education and is the Founder-Chairman of the World Council for Total Quality and Excellence in Education (WCTQEE).

UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, World Level,UNESCO Headquarters Paris, France 2002

The UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2002 was awarded to CMS in recognition of its efforts to promote universal values of education for peace and tolerance. The Director-General of UNESCO handed the 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education to Jagdish and Bharti Gandhi, founders of CMS at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. In congratulating CMS, Mr Matsuura said, “A school must act as a lighthouse of society, providing direction and guidance, for each child is potentially the light of the world... as a future conscious and proactive member of society.”

Quality Pioneer Award, Mauritius 2000

The Quality Pioneer Award 2000 was given to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by HE Mr Cassam Uteem, President of Mauritius, Port Luis, Mauritius, for his pioneering contribution in introducing the concept and practice of Quality Circles (QC) in education. The Ministry of Education of Mauritius subsequently made Student Quality Circles (SQC's) as initiated by CMS compulsory in all government schools of Mauritius.

Derozio Award India, 2000 Mauritius 2000

The Derozio Award 2000 was given to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by India's premier Board for education, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi. When the Award was set up in memory of the great Indian visionary, educationist and poet, Henry Vivian Derozio, Dr Jagdish Gandhi was the unanimous choice of the Jury and its first recipient in India. The award was handed to Dr Gandhi by Mr Abdul Halim, Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, at a special function held at St Xavier's College, Calcutta. The citation noted that the award was being given to Dr Gandhi for his "Outstanding Contribution to Education and Human Enrichment." Dr Gandhi donated the cash part of the award back to the ICSE Council for use in the cause of education of poor children.

Friend of Young Physicists, Poland 1999

Friend of Young Physicists Certificate 1999 was given to Dr Jagdish Gandhi by the Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, for his contributing and promoting interest in physics education among students of High School and Intermediate classes.

Guinness World Record Certificate, World Level, First recognition in 1999

World's Largest School Recognition 1999 was given to CMS by Guinness World Records. was given to CMS by Guinness World Records. The certificate signed by the Keeper of the Records and stated:
"The largest school by pupils is the City Montessori School, Lucknow, India, which had a world record enrolment of 22,612 pupils in 1999."

Peace Representative, World Level, 1988

The World Peace Prayer Society in 1988 recognized Dr Jagdish Gandhi as their Peace Representative in Lucknow, India, signed by the Chairperson, Mr Masami Saionji and President Mr Hiroo Saionji.