Post HC ruling, govt directs Delhi schools to regulate student phone use

Almost two weeks after a Delhi High Court ruling, the Delhi government has asked schools to come up with their own guidelines on how students can use smartphones on campus.

The court had laid out general principles aimed at balancing the pros and cons of letting students use smartphones in school.

In line with this, the Directorate of Education, in a circular dated April 17, 2025, asked all heads of government, government-aided, and recognized private schools to create and put in place a policy that fits their school’s needs.

“The court has drawn up guiding principles to balance the beneficial and deleterious effect of permitting the use of smartphones in the hands of students while attending the school. Accordingly, all the Heads of Govt., Govt. Aided & Unaided Recognised Private Schools of Delhi are hereby directed to develop a policy on the above said matter on school level and implement the same,” reads the circular.

The High Court’s decision, delivered by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani on March 3, came during the hearing of a petition filed by a student who wanted clear rules about mobile phone use in schools.

The court noted that having smartphones doesn’t necessarily disrupt learning, discipline, or the school environment.

Importantly, the ruling allows schools the flexibility to set their own boundaries—whether that means allowing limited use in certain areas or events or putting stricter bans in place during specific times.