Delhi Government Issues Gazette Notification to Streamline School Fee Regulation Framework
The Delhi government has officially released a gazette notification aimed at clarifying and simplifying the execution of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act. This significant move comes as a direct response to the Supreme Court raising pertinent questions about the newly established fee fixing framework, ensuring that the implementation process is both transparent and efficient.
Mandatory Formation of School-Level Fee Regulation Committees
According to the notification, all schools operating within the national capital are required to establish a school-level fee regulation committee (SLFRC) within a strict timeframe of 10 days from the publication of the order. Importantly, committees that are already functioning under the previous notification will continue to remain valid under the updated rules, providing continuity and avoiding unnecessary disruptions.
Education Minister Ashish Sood emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the law effectively. He stated, "The concern was how fees would be handled during the transition period. So, we accepted that and created a clear implementation path. For us, implementing the law was more important than letting it get derailed."
Strict Guidelines for Fee Hikes and Parental Relief
The gazette notification makes it explicitly clear that until the fees are approved by the school-level fee regulation committees, schools are prohibited from implementing any new rates. Furthermore, any exorbitant hikes planned for the 2025-26 academic year will be regulated in strict accordance with the law.
Minister Sood added, "Our gazette notification makes it clear that until the fees are approved by the school-level fee regulation committees, schools cannot implement the new rates, and any exorbitant hikes for 2025-26 will be regulated in accordance with the law. We brought this strict legislation to give relief to Delhi's parents and children, and we will not allow any compromise with children's interests."
Detailed Fee Proposal Submission and Review Process
Following the formation of the committee, school authorities are expected to submit a detailed fee proposal covering the next three academic years, starting from 2026-27, within 14 days. The committee will then meticulously review the submission and finalize the fees according to the provisions outlined in the Act.
Establishment of District Fee Appellate Committees
In addition to the school-level committees, the director of education (DoE) has been tasked with establishing district fee appellate committees (DFACs) within 30 days. The notification specifies that these revised deadlines apply exclusively to the upcoming three-year fee block commencing in 2026-27. All subsequent fee blocks will adhere to the timelines set in the original Act and Rules.
Transition Between Fee Cycles and Interim Regulations
Regarding the transition between fee cycles, the gazette clearly states that once a three-year block concludes, schools are not permitted to increase fees beyond the previously fixed amount until the next block receives approval. Any additional fees collected during this interim period must be adjusted accordingly at a later stage.
To provide immediate relief to parents, schools are barred from charging more than the fees collected as of April 1, 2025, until the new structure for the next block is finalized. The notification also highlights that any excessively high fees collected during the 2025-26 academic year will be subject to regulation, pending the final outcome of ongoing cases in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court.
Accountability and Enforcement Measures
Minister Sood warned against any potential misconduct by schools, stating, "If any school indulges in misconduct, it will be held accountable. If any school stops children from entering or violates the order, action will be taken." This underscores the government's firm stance on ensuring compliance and protecting the interests of students and parents.
Background and Supreme Court Scrutiny
This development follows the Supreme Court's scrutiny of Delhi's new fee law, with the apex court seeking detailed explanations on committee structures, implementation safeguards, and protections against unilateral fee hikes. The gazette notification aims to address these concerns comprehensively, providing a robust framework for fee regulation in Delhi's educational institutions.
