3 weeks ago
Delhi tables Bill to fix timelines for school fee regulation
The Delhi government made a new rule about school fees.
It wants to make sure schools do not ask parents for too much money.
The rule gives a clear timeline for setting up special committees that check school fees.
Every private school will have ten days to create its own fee-checking committee.
Then the school must tell the committee how much it wants to charge for the next three years.
A school cannot charge more money until the new fee amount is approved.
This means no new fee increase is allowed during the current school year.
The government also wants district-level groups to look at fee problems.
Some people did not agree with this rule and took the matter to court.
The courts will decide some parts of this later.
The Delhi government tabled the Delhi School Education (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly on the first day of the Monsoon Session.
The order sets timelines to fix 'difficulties' in implementing the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, which took effect on December 10, 2025.
Private schools must constitute School-Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) within 10 days of the order's gazette publication and submit proposed fee structures for three-year blocks starting 2026-27 within 14 days.
The Directorate of Education must constitute District Fee Appellate Committees (DFACs) for each education district within 30 days.
No school may charge fees above the last approved amount until the next three-year fee block is fixed, and 'exorbitant' 2025-26 fees will be reviewed subject to pending court cases before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
Education Minister Ashish Sood said the move was challenged in court, and the government agreed to keep it in abeyance while assuring no fee hikes until committees are constituted.
- Who
- The Delhi government, led by Education Minister Ashish Sood, and private schools in Delhi.
- What
- The Delhi School Education (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2026 was tabled to set timelines for the constitution of School-Level Fee Regulation Committees and fee fixation under the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- When
- Friday, the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly; the Act itself took effect on December 10, 2025.
- Why
- To fix difficulties in implementing the fee regulation Act, ensure timely constitution of committees before the admission process, and prevent schools from imposing exorbitant fees on parents and students.
For Fee Regulation
Against Fee Regulation
School fee increases
For Fee Regulation
The Delhi government says strict timelines and fee freezes are needed so schools do not impose exorbitant fees on parents and students.
Against Fee Regulation
The move was challenged in court, reflecting opposition from those who dispute the government's approach to regulating school fees.
Use of the removal of difficulties power
For Fee Regulation
The government invoked Section 21 of the Act to give effect to the law and legislative intent and fix appropriate timelines.
Against Fee Regulation
The legal challenge to the move indicates disagreement over whether the government's action was proper, with the matter pending before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Delhi School Education (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2026
- Underlying Act
- Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act
- Act effective date
- December 10, 2025
- SLFRC constitution deadline
- 10 days from publication in the Delhi Gazette
- Fee structure submission deadline
- 14 days after SLFRC constitution
- DFAC constitution deadline
- 30 days (by the Directorate of Education)
- Fee freeze
- No fees above those charged as of April 1, 2025 until the next three-year block is fixed
- Pending litigation
- Cases before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India
Quotes
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood
Delhi Education Minister
“The move was challenged in court, following which the government agreed to keep the matter in abeyance and assured that schools would not increase fees until the committees were constituted.”
indianexpress.com
“The order was placed before the Assembly to formally fix timelines and ensure schools do not impose exorbitant fees on parents and students.”
indianexpress.com










