New Delhi, April 29 — To address growing concerns over unregulated school fee hikes, the Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft legislation that seeks to enforce transparency and oversight in private school fee structures.
The Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025 was cleared in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who called it a “bold and historic step.”
“I feel overjoyed to share that the Cabinet has passed this draft Bill today. It will, for the first time, create a complete framework for regulating fees in all 1,677 schools across Delhi—whether aided, unaided or private,” Gupta told reporters.
The legislation comes amid an uptick in complaints from parents alleging arbitrary fee hikes, mental harassment of students, and coercive practices by private schools.
Parents have accused some schools of withholding admit cards and threatening expulsion over delayed payments.
Gupta noted the “panic among parents” and said the previous administrations lacked any legal framework to prevent such practices.
Education Minister Ashish Sood, who also addressed the media, said that three committees would be formed to implement the new guidelines.
“These panels will review and fix the fee structure every three years, taking into account each school’s infrastructure,” he said.
Sood added that the fee regulation process would include direct representation from stakeholders.
“Three teachers and five parents, chosen by a draw, will be part of the committee that sets the fees. Their voices will matter in a formal, structured way,” he said.
At the district level, a 10-member oversight body will be established.
“Each district committee will include two women and one member from the SC or ST communities,” Sood said.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has already taken action in over 600 private schools following complaints of unauthorised fee hikes.
Committees led by sub-divisional magistrates and comprising education officials, accountants, and government school principals have been formed to investigate these complaints.
Schools found violating fee norms are being issued showcause notices under Section 24(3) of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973. Many institutions, officials said, failed to submit audited financial reports and fee statements as required by Section 17(3) and Section 180(3) of the same act.
On April 16, the Delhi High Court rebuked Delhi Public School, Dwarka, for mistreating students during a fee dispute.
The school was accused of confining students to the library and denying them classroom access and peer interaction—actions the court described as treating students with “indignity.”
The issue had earlier turned political when Leader of Opposition Atishi challenged Chief Minister Gupta to halt fee hikes immediately.
In response, Gupta said that notices were already being sent to non-compliant schools and reaffirmed her government’s “commitment to ensuring children’s right to education is protected.”
The Bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming session of the Delhi Assembly.
