The Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has approved the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025. This landmark legislation aims to regulate fees in private and government schools across the national capital, addressing long-standing concerns about arbitrary fee hikes.
The bill introduces a three-tier committee system to oversee fee structures. These committees will operate at the school, district, and state levels, ensuring transparency and fairness. Schools found violating the guidelines could face fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh. The legislation applies to all 1,677 schools in Delhi, including aided, unaided, and private institutions.
The move comes after widespread protests by parents against unjustified fee hikes. Many parents had accused school administrations of pressuring students over unpaid fees. The Directorate of Education (DoE) had previously initiated action against unaided private schools, including proceedings for de-recognition and potential takeover of school managements.
Chief Minister Gupta described the bill as a “historic and brave decision,” noting that no previous government had addressed the issue of fee regulation. Education Minister Ashish Sood emphasized that the bill would prevent arbitrary fee increases and ensure a transparent process.
The government has also announced the dissolution of existing School Management Committees (SMCs) in government and government-aided institutions. Fresh elections for SMCs are scheduled for May 9, with the election process overseen by school-level committees.
Parents can now report grievances through an official email address or at DoE offices, further strengthening accountability measures. This legislation marks a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to education in Delhi.
