The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has declared it illegal for a Delhi school to withhold CBSE board exam admit cards due to fee disputes. This ruling follows complaints from three students at Apeejay School, Saket, who allegedly faced denial of their hall tickets over a raised fee amount. The CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams began on February 17.
NHRC Intervention
The NHRC intervened after parents reported that students Arshia Chaudhary and Shreyansh Awasthi (Class 10) and Amishi Rawat (Class 12) were denied campus entry on February 14 and 16. Parents claimed the school demanded payment of an increased fee, linking it to admit card issuance. Parents stated they were willing to pay the original fee but disputed the additional component.
Protests and Escalation
The situation escalated on February 15 with protests by parents, led by the Naya Samaj parents association. Protesters alleged students were being held hostage. They argued that the fundamental right to education was compromised by unauthorized fee hikes. Critics also pointed to the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation of Fees) Act, 2025, as failing to protect students.
NHRC Orders Action
On February 13, the NHRC directed its investigation division to gather facts within 24 hours and submit an Action Taken Report within three days. The NHRC determined that withholding admit cards, which were already issued by CBSE, is illegal. The commission stated this violates the Right to Education Act.
The NHRC instructed the Directorate of Education and CBSE chairman to ensure the immediate issuance of admit cards. The commission emphasized that fee disputes cannot prevent students from appearing for board examinations.
Admit Cards Issued
Advocate Shikha Sharma Bagga highlighted the stress caused to students by such demands. She noted a 2020 undertaking by the school against charging hiked fees. Parents demanded an FIR against the school management and strict penalties.
Following discussions with Delhi minister Ashish Sood on the evening of February 16, the affected students received their admit cards.