The Delhi government on Monday introduced a new bill in the Legislative Assembly aimed at regulating private school fees and ensuring greater transparency in the education system. Presented by Education Minister Ashish Sood, the proposed law seeks to bring long-term relief to thousands of families affected by steep and often arbitrary fee hikes.
Titled the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, the legislation applies to all 1,677 private unaided recognised schools in the national capital.
"This bill has been brought to stop the commercialisation of education," said Minister Sood in the Assembly. "We are bringing this bill to take action against those mafias who are selling education." He called it a permanent solution to an issue that has long burdened parents and students alike.
What the Bill Proposes
The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, introduces a set of reforms aimed at regulating how private unaided schools determine and revise their fees. The proposed changes focus on three core areas:
1. Structured Fee Regulation
- Schools must submit a fee plan for the next three academic years.
- Only one revision is permitted during that period.
- Fee hikes must be based on measurable factors like infrastructure, staff salaries, and school location.
- Profiteering is prohibited, and schools are required to publicly disclose financial records and fee structures.
This system aims to bring predictability to school fee changes while ensuring that institutions operate with financial transparency.
2. Grievance Redressal and Oversight
A three-level redressal system will be established at the school, district, and state levels. Each school must set up a School-Level Fee Regulation Committee by July 15 every year. This committee will include five randomly selected parents, a school representative, and a nominee from the Directorate of Education.
Fee proposals must be submitted to the committee by July 31, with approvals finalised by September 15. Once approved, the fee structure will remain in place for three years. Disputes can be escalated only if at least 15% of the school's parents raise a formal objection. All appeals must be resolved within 45 days, and state-level decisions will be binding.
3. Penalties for Violations
- Fines for unauthorised fee hikes will range from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
- These penalties will double every 20 days until the school complies.
- Repeat offenders may be ordered to refund excess charges and could lose official recognition.
What Prompted the Bill?
In the 2025-26 academic year, several private schools in Delhi increased fees by up to 45%. These sharp hikes placed a significant burden on middle- and working-class families, many of whom struggled to meet deadlines or were penalised for delays.
On July 20, hundreds of parents gathered at Jantar Mantar, demanding transparency and immediate government action. Many accused schools of functioning like profit-driven enterprises, ignoring parental consent and regulatory oversight.
In one incident that drew widespread attention, multiple students were expelled after their families refused to pay the increased fees. The matter reached the Delhi High Court, which directed the school to readmit the affected students and asked parents to pay 50% of the disputed hike as an interim measure. The court also noted the lack of safeguards for students in such disputes and called for a more accountable framework.
Mixed Reactions and Criticism
While the government says the bill puts parents first, opposition leaders and parent groups have raised serious concerns.
Atishi, former CM and Leader of Opposition, called the bill a cover for unchecked profiteering. “This hands control to school owners, blocks parent voices, and protects profiteers,” she said, demanding that the bill be sent to a Select Committee and that all fee hikes be frozen at 2024–25 levels.
Some parents and advocates, including Ashok Agarwal of the All India Parents Association, say the requirement for 15% of parents to jointly file complaints is too high and limits accountability.
The bill reflects a growing demand from parents for fairness, transparency, and dignity in how private education is managed. As the debate continues, it is important that policies genuinely reflect the needs of the students and communities they are meant to serve.
