New Delhi | Education Desk
Private schools in the national capital have received a major setback from the Delhi High Court, which has refused to stay the Delhi government’s order aimed at regulating school fees. The issue, which has sparked intense debate among parents, school managements, and authorities, has now reached the judiciary.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela declined the plea filed by private unaided schools seeking an immediate suspension of the government notification that mandates the formation of school-level fee regulation committees.
Background of the Case
The Delhi government recently issued a notification under the Delhi School Education (Determination and Regulation of Fees Transparency) Act, 2025, which seeks to curb arbitrary fee hikes in private schools. As per the notification, schools are required to constitute School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) to ensure transparency in any proposed fee increase.
Challenging this move, more than 800 private schools approached the Delhi High Court, questioning the constitutional validity of the Act and demanding a stay on its implementation.
High Court’s Observations and Interim Relief
While refusing to stay the notification, the High Court granted limited relief to schools by:
- Extending the deadline for forming the fee regulation committees from January 10 to January 20, 2026
- Directing school managements to extend the last date for parents to pay school fees till February 5, instead of the earlier deadline of January 25
The court clarified that these directions were interim in nature and aimed at ensuring smooth implementation without causing immediate hardship.
Three-Tier Committee to Approve Fee Hikes
Under the new law, any proposal for fee revision must be approved by a transparent three-tier committee, consisting of:
- Parents’ representatives
- School management members
- Government nominees
This mechanism has been introduced to prevent unilateral and excessive fee hikes by private schools.
Composition of the School-Level Committee
According to the notification issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) on December 24, 2025, each School Level Fee Regulation Committee must include:
- One Chairperson
- The School Principal
- Five Parent Representatives
- Three Teachers
- One DoE Representative
Schools were initially directed to form these committees by January 10, 2026.
Legal Arguments Presented
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for a group of private schools, argued that the notification is illegal and contrary to the Act, and therefore deserves to be stayed. He challenged the constitutional validity of the law, stating that it interferes with the autonomy of private educational institutions.
On the other hand, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) defended the legislation, asserting that it is constitutionally valid and essential to protect parents from arbitrary and unreasonable fee collection by private schools.
What Lies Ahead
The matter remains under judicial consideration, and the High Court is expected to examine the constitutional challenge in detail in the coming hearings. Until then, the Delhi government’s fee regulation framework will continue to remain in force.
The verdict has been widely welcomed by parents’ groups, while private school associations have expressed concern over increased government oversight.