Delhi Orders Private Schools to Form Fee Regulation Panels by July 15; Strict Action for Rule Violations
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has something new to announce. Private unaided schools must have a School Level Fee Regulation Committee by July 15, 2026. The new rules come from the 2025 Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, and they aim to make the fee-fixation process clearer and more accountable, with more opportunities for parents to be a part of the process. Schools bypassing the new rules will be punished by the government taking over the school's management and withdrawing recognition.
The new rules from the Directorate of Education (DoE) take the arbitrary decisions out of the school fee setting and instead make schools set fees based on real financial needs. These rules are especially new and important for parents since they will actually be able to review the fees that private schools are going to set.
What Is the New Rule for Private Schools?
According to the new rule, by July 15, 2026, all recognized private unaided schools in Delhi will have to set up State Level Fee Regulatory Committees (SLFRC) for the 2026-27 academic year. The school management, along with five parents and three teachers, will form the committee.
A seven-day public notice will be issued, and representatives will be chosen from the public through a video-recorded draw of lots to provide an opportunity to teachers and parents. A government official will supervise the draw. The school will retain the video for a period of two years.
Parents Who Want to Participate in Fee Decisions
The new law aims to increase the role of parents in the regulation of fees. A private unaided school will first have a Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) and then form the SLFRC parent representatives from the PTA.
Schools are also directed to have women's representation and, in the appropriate context, representation from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and socially and educationally backward classes. With the new law, the government hopes to enhance trust and improve the transparency of the schools and the parents through fee decisions.
No More Easy Inflation Excuses for Fee Hikes
Schools in Delhi can no longer hike fees based on inflation or the rising costs of running a school. School proposals for a fee hike will be evaluated along the lines of 18 specific factors. Some factors include:
- Safety and Security
- Teachers and Staff
- Libraries and Labs
- Digital and Modern Classrooms
- Sports
- Health
- Administration
- Other Needs
Schools will be required to present audited financials from the last three years. These audits must be completed by a CPA. Schools will not be allowed to submit internal audits or unaudited financials.
Fee Hike proposals due end of July
Once the Self-Financing Regulatory Committees (SLFRC) are in place, school managements will be required to submit their proposed fees for the next three academic years by July 31, 2026.
These proposals will be required to provide:
- Justification for the proposed fee revision
- Proposed fees for three years of fee structure
- Back up documentation to support the need for additional funds
The committee will review all proposed fee structures before approving a fee revision.
Continuing Fees
In accordance with interim regulations of the Delhi High Court, private, unaided schools will be required to maintain the fees of the 2025–26 academic session until the new regulatory structures approve a revised fee.
Excess fee collection during this interim period will either be required to be refunded or adjusted based on the outcome of the current legal proceedings.
Government Issues Warning About Enforcement Of Stricter Punishments
Education Minister Ashish Sood asserts that educational services are to be treated as a public service and not as for-profit services. Schools that circumvent the selection process, violate the rules, and/or submit false financial statements will face the consequences of:
- Monetary fines
- Stripped of school recognition
- Government seizure and control of the school in extreme cases.
Regional Directors and district education officials are to monitor and enforce these rules throughout Delhi.
Conclusion
The latest actions of the Delhi Government are a groundbreaking approach to the regulation of private school fees. The new requirements of School Level Fee Regulation Committees, financial audits, and higher parental participation will drive transparency and accountability in relation to the setting of fees. As schools strive to meet deadlines set for July, parents must be active in engagement regarding the committee creation and in stabilizing the proposed school fees.
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