Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Centre Tells Rajya Sabha States Regulate Private School Fees
In India, someone asked who decides how much private schools can charge for fees.
The central government answered that it is not in charge of that.
It said the states and union territories decide.
This is because education is a shared subject in the Constitution.
The government said each state makes its own rules for private school fees.
States also protect the interests of students and parents.
They can take action against schools that break the rules.
There are also national laws about free education for children aged 6 to 14.
Private schools must reserve at least 25% of seats for children from weaker sections.
Schools are not allowed to charge a capitation fee for admission, and CBSE-affiliated schools need committee approval before changing fees.
The Centre clarified it has no direct role in regulating fees of private schools not established, owned or controlled by it.
Education being in the Concurrent List, fee regulation falls under the jurisdiction of state governments and union territory administrations.
Matters under states and UTs include private school fees, safeguarding student and parent interests, and action against violating schools.
Under the RTE Act, 2009, private unaided schools must reserve at least 25% of entry-level seats for weaker sections, and capitation fees are prohibited.
CBSE bye-laws require fee revisions to be approved by the School Management Committee, and its guidelines bar schools from forcing purchases from specific vendors.
- Who
- Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, on behalf of the Central government
- What
- Clarified that regulation of private school fees comes under the jurisdiction of state governments and union territory administrations
- When
- August 12, 2026
- Where
- Rajya Sabha, New Delhi, India
- Why
- Education is a subject in the Concurrent List, and schools not established, owned or controlled by the central government fall under state and UT jurisdiction
- Clarifying authority
- Union Ministry of Education (Centre)
- Official
- Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary
- Forum
- Written reply in Rajya Sabha
- Date
- August 12, 2026
- Legal basis
- Concurrent List of the Constitution
- RTE Act reservation
- At least 25% seats in private unaided schools for weaker sections and disadvantaged groups
- Capitation fee
- Prohibited under Section 13 of the RTE Act, 2009
- Deemed university regulation
- UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, Regulation 24.B.(2)