Delhi private schools must now justify fee hikes to a regulatory committee by July 15. Education Minister Ashish Sood announced new rules requiring schools to prove the necessity of fee increases. These hikes will be scrutinized against 18 strict criteria.
New Fee Regulation Mechanism
The Delhi government has mandated the formation of School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs). All private unaided schools must establish these committees by July 15, 2026 . This action aligns with the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025. The government aims to make education affordable and accessible. They view education as a societal service, not a business.
Committee Composition
The SLFRC will ensure impartial audits. The committee includes:
- The School Principal or a management representative.
- Two members from the Parents Teachers Association (PTA).
- A Chartered Accountant (CA). The Directorate of Education (DoE) will appoint this CA to audit school financials.
Criteria for Fee Hikes
Schools must present a case for any fee increase. This justification will be reviewed based on 18 specific parameters. These include:
- Infrastructure development.
- Transport services.
- School security measures.
- Teacher hiring and retention.
- Direct communication with parents about the need for the hike.
Timelines and Penalties
Compliance with the new regulations is mandatory. The Directorate of Education has set strict deadlines:
| Action | Deadline |
| Form SLFRC and submit member details to DoE portal | July 15, 2026 |
| Submit audited financial justification for proposed fee hike | August 10, 2026 |
Schools failing to form the committee or imposing fee hikes without adhering to the 18 criteria face severe penalties. These could include revocation of school recognition. The government may also propose taking administrative control of the school. This action would be under the Delhi School Education Act & Rules.
