The Delhi government has issued a new Gazette notification to streamline its school fee fixation process. This follows questions raised by the Supreme Court regarding the government’s fee regulation law. The notification aims to implement the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act.
New Fee Regulation Process
Under the new order, schools must establish a School-Level Fee Regulation Committee (SLFRC) within 10 days of the notification’s publication. Committees already formed under previous orders remain valid. School managements must submit proposed fee structures for the academic years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 within 14 days of forming their SLFRC. The SLFRC will then set fees according to the Act’s provisions.
The Director of Education will also establish District Fee Appellate Committees (DFACs) in each education district within 30 days. These committees will handle appeals related to fee fixation.
These revised timelines apply only to the immediate three-year block starting in 2026-27. All future fee blocks will follow the strict timelines outlined in the Act and its rules.
Relief for Parents
Schools cannot charge fees higher than those collected on April 1, 2025 , until the new fee structure is approved. Any excessive fees charged for the 2025-26 academic year will be regulated according to law. This regulation is subject to the outcomes of cases pending in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.
If a three-year fee block expires before the next block’s fees are approved, schools cannot increase fees beyond the last fixed amount. Any excess fees collected during this interim period must be adjusted later.
Background of the Regulation
The Supreme Court recently reviewed the Delhi government’s fee regulation framework. The court sought clarification on committee structures and safeguards against arbitrary fee increases. Private schools had raised concerns about implementation timelines and administrative challenges.
The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill became law in 2025. Its stated goal is to increase transparency, involve parents in fee decisions, and prevent unjustified fee hikes.