Delhi School Fee Law: Know how fee regulation committee works, what parents need to know about arbitrary fee hike

The Delhi government has implemented the Delhi School of Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, a legislation that significantly expands regulatory oversight and replaces the 1973 fee regulation framework. In a major reform aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes in private schools, Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena issued the Gazette notification bringing more than 1,500 private, unaided schools in the capital under the ambit of the new law.

What is Delhi School of Education Act, 2025?

The “Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025” was introduced to end the commercialisation of education and take action against those exploiting it for profit. It was passed in the Delhi Assembly on August 8 after an extended debate covering all private schools in the capital, a significant expansion from the earlier 1973 law, which applied to only around 300 schools. The proposed law aims to regulate the arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the national capital, providing relief to lakhs of students and their families. 

Under the 2025 Act, private schools will be required to make their fee structures public, justify any proposed hike, and seek approval from designated authorities before implementing changes. It mandates that schools itemise and disclose all permissible fees, including admission charges, registration charges, and security deposits, which are non-recurring charges. Tuition fees are restricted to covering standard establishment costs and expenses directly related to curricular activities, excluding capital expenditures like infrastructure development. The Act defines and regulates term fees, annual charges, and development fees, capping the latter at 10% of the total annual tuition fee. 

How fee regulation committee work?

The legislation established a three-tier committee structure comprising a School-level Fee Regulation Committee, the District Fee Appellate Committee, and the Revision Committee. The Act requires that a complaint to the District-level Committee must be backed by at least 15% of the affected parents, making parents a crucial part of the decision-making process.

As per the Act, the School-level Fee Regulation Committee will comprise five parent representatives, with mandatory representation of women and disadvantaged groups, and three teachers selected through a video-recorded draw. A representative of the school management will serve as Chairperson, while the principal will act as Member Secretary. An observer, who must be a government school principal or above, will be nominated by the Education Department to provide independent oversight. The Committee is responsible for approving the fee structure proposed by school management for a block of three academic years and is authorised to examine relevant financial documents. Every proposal for fee revision must be accompanied by audited financial statements. 

The District Fee Appellate Committee, constituted by July 15, reviews disputes and objections, completing reviews by July 30. Appeals are made to the Revision Committee, the highest adjudicating body, within 30-45 days. The Revision Committee can summon records, call witnesses, and issue binding orders for three academic years. Non-compliance attracts penalties, including fines up to Rs 10 lakh and potential loss of recognition, under Sections 12(1) or 12(2) of the Act [2ogf][6QjP][5AhX].