Supreme Court Issues Notice to Delhi's Directorate of Education Over Private School Fee Hikes

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Delhi's Directorate of Education (DoE) and the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools in response to a plea challenging the Delhi High Court's decision that allowed private schools on government land to increase tuition fees without prior approval from the DoE.

The petition, filed by the Naya Samaj Parents Association, alleges that several private unaided schools in Delhi have significantly increased their fees, in some cases by up to 100%, without obtaining the necessary approvals. The plea contends that such hikes are in violation of existing regulations and have placed undue financial strain on parents.

In light of these allegations, the Supreme Court has sought responses from the DoE and the Action Committee, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to regulatory norms in fee structures.

This development follows the Delhi government's recent approval of the 'Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025', which aims to regulate fee structures in private schools and impose penalties for unauthorized hikes. The bill proposes the establishment of committees at the school, district, and state levels to oversee fee regulations and ensure compliance.

As the Supreme Court examines the plea, stakeholders await further directives that could impact fee regulation policies and the operational autonomy of private schools in Delhi.