Delhi mandates 18-point justification for private school fee hikes under new rules

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on July 2 announced that private unaided schools seeking to raise fees will have to justify the proposed increase on 18 prescribed parameters before a school-level regulatory committee and ensure parental participation in the process.

In a post on X, Sood said the Delhi government has directed all private unaided schools to constitute School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) by July 15 under the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025. He warned that schools failing to comply with the directive would face strict action.

The minister said the SLFRCs will determine school fees for the academic sessions from 2026-27 to 2028-29. He added that parents' participation and consent will be ensured before any fee hike, making the fee-setting process fair and transparent.

Schools seeking a fee revision will have to place their proposal before the committee and justify the increase based on 18 parameters prescribed under the rules.

"These include expenditure on infrastructure development, transportation facilities, school buildings, safety measures, lighting, staff recruitment and other institutional requirements. Schools will have to demonstrate that the proposed hike is linked to genuine improvements and is supported by financial records," the minister said.

According to an official statement, every private unaided school must constitute an SLFRC comprising representatives of parents, teachers, and the school management.

Five parent representatives and three teacher representatives will be selected through a publicly notified, video-recorded draw of lots after a mandatory seven-day public notice.

The process will be supervised by a government-appointed observer. "Any attempt by school managements to influence the draw or bypass the prescribed procedure would invite strict action, including monetary penalties, withdrawal of school recognition or even a government takeover of the school's management," the statement said.

School managements have been directed to submit their proposed fee structures for the next three academic years to the committees by July 31.

The proposals must be supported by audited financial statements for the previous three years, certified by a chartered accountant. Unaudited or self-certified financial records will not be accepted.

The statement also said that, in compliance with interim orders of the Delhi High Court, private schools will continue charging fees at the same rate as in the 2025-26 academic session until their revised fee structures are reviewed and approved by the regulatory committees.

Any excess fee collected during the interim period will be subject to the final outcome of the court proceedings and will have to be refunded or adjusted accordingly, the report added.

The Directorate of Education has instructed regional directors and district officials to ensure strict implementation of the new provisions, stating that protecting the interests of students and parents remains the government's priority.