Arbitrary Hikes in School Fees to be Checked, as Delhi Govt. Introduces Bill

The Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill 2025 aims to curb arbitrary fee hikes and ensure transparency in private, aided, and unaided schools.

April 29, 2025: Delhi Government Approves Landmark Bill To Regulate School Fees Amid Complaints

In a major move aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes, the Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

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“I am overjoyed to share that the Delhi government has taken a bold and historic step,” Chief Minister Gupta announced, highlighting that, for the first time, a comprehensive framework to regulate school fees across all 1,677 schools—whether aided, unaided, or private—will be implemented.

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The move follows rising complaints from parents about frequent and unregulated hikes in school fees, often accompanied by alleged harassment of students. Gupta criticized previous governments for failing to implement any regulatory framework and emphasized the urgent need to bring transparency to the education sector.

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Key Provisions of the New Bill:

• Formation of Committees:
  Education Minister Ashish Sood elaborated that three committees will be established to oversee fee regulations. These committees will decide school fees for three-year periods, factoring in school infrastructure and other relevant parameters.
• Inclusion of Parents and Teachers:
  Each committee will include three teachers and five parents, chosen through a draw. They will play a direct role in the fee-setting process.
• District-Level Oversight:
  A 10-member committee will operate at the district level, ensuring diverse representation, including women and Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe members.

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Background and Recent Actions:

Complaints of coercive practices by private unaided schools—including the denial of admit cards for board exams and threats of expulsion over fee disputes—have long plagued the education sector in Delhi. The issue escalated politically when Leader of Opposition Atishi challenged the ruling BJP government to act swiftly.

Responding to public outrage, the Delhi government recently inspected over 600 private schools, uncovering violations such as failure to submit mandatory audited financial statements and unjustified fee hikes. Showcause notices were issued under relevant sections of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973.

The situation further intensified after the Delhi High Court criticized Delhi Public School, Dwarka, for confining students over fee disputes, calling the treatment “inhumane” and suggesting that the school deserved to be shut down.

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With the new bill, the Delhi government aims to establish a transparent, accountable system to protect students’ rights and prevent profiteering practices by schools.

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Delhi government, Delhi school fees, Rekha Gupta, school fee regulation, Delhi education bill 2025, arbitrary fee hikes, private schools, Delhi news, education reforms, Ashish Sood, Delhi education department