Delhi Government Proposes ₹50000 Fine per Student to Curb Unauthorized Fee Hikes in Private Schools

Abhyspeeth Education Desk

New Delhi : In a bold move to protect parents from arbitrary fee hikes, the Delhi Government is set to introduce the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Draft Bill, 2025, which proposes a fine of ₹50,000 per student on private schools that increase fees without proper authorization.

This legislation aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to fee structures in private educational institutions, addressing long-standing concerns of unexpected and unjustified fee escalations.

At the heart of the bill is a strong deterrent — a hefty fine of ₹50,000 per student for schools found guilty of increasing fees without prior approval. The Director of Education will be empowered to impose this penalty.

To regulate and monitor fee changes, the bill mandates the creation of Fee Regulation Committees in every private school. These committees will include the principal, three teachers, five randomly selected parents, school management representatives, and an observer from the Directorate of Education.

The draft also outlines a clear grievance redressal mechanism. Disputes will be heard by Appellate Committees at the district level, comprising education officials, parents, teachers, and a chartered accountant. A higher-level Revision Committee, with an experienced educationist, will handle more complex cases.

Importantly, the bill ensures that no student is penalized for fee-related issues. Actions such as expulsion, withholding report cards, or denying participation in classes and extracurricular activities due to non-payment of fees will be strictly prohibited.

The government also plans to promote inclusivity by ensuring representation of SC/ST communities, backward classes, and women in these regulatory bodies.

Expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly in July 2025, this bill, if passed, will mark a significant shift in how private school fees are governed in the capital. It reflects the government’s intent to balance educational autonomy with parental rights and financial fairness.