In a significant move aimed at bringing transparency to school fee structures, the Delhi government has issued a directive to all private schools in the national capital. The institutions have been ordered to constitute School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) by January 10, 2026. This action implements the newly effective Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025.
New Two-Tier Mechanism for Fee Regulation
Education Minister Ashish Sood announced that the Act and its accompanying rules are now in force, establishing a two-tier system for oversight. The primary layer consists of the School Level Fee Regulation Committees, while a District Level Fee Appellate Committee (DLFRC) will serve as an appellate body. Minister Sood emphasized that the legislation is a supplementary measure to the Delhi School Education Act of 1973, designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and time-bound decisions in the fee fixation process. "The government believes in a balanced solution in the interest of every child. Politics of confrontation is not our policy," Sood stated during a press conference.
Composition and Function of the School Committees
Under the new framework, every private school must form an SLFRC with a diverse representation. The committee will include members from the school management, the principal, three teachers, five parents, and one nominee from the Directorate of Education. To ensure impartiality, the selection of parent and teacher representatives will be conducted through a transparent lottery system in the presence of official observers.
The SLFRC's primary function will be to examine fee proposals submitted by school managements and reach a decision within 30 days. For the upcoming 2025-26 academic session, schools have been instructed to present their fee structures to the committee by January 25, a significant shift from the previous deadline of April 1. If the school-level committee cannot decide within the stipulated month, the matter will be automatically escalated to the District Level Fee Appellate Committee for resolution.
Key Eligibility and Compliance Directives
The government has outlined specific eligibility criteria for committee membership. Parents of students admitted under categories exempt from fee payment, such as EWS (Economically Weaker Section), DG, or CWSN (Children with Special Needs), are not eligible to serve as parent representatives. Furthermore, only one parent per family can be part of the committee. Selected members must confirm their willingness to serve within three working days.
The Education Department has made it clear that any delays in forming the SLFRCs, submitting fee proposals, or disposing of proposals within the given timelines will be treated as non-compliance. Such lapses will invite action under the provisions of the new Act and its rules. Minister Sood reiterated that the law is not meant to target private schools or teachers but to create a predictable, rule-based system for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially the nearly 38 lakh children enrolled in Delhi's schools.
