Private Schools in Delhi Told to Set Up Fee Committees Before July 15

3 July 2026 eduedgepulse.com

The Delhi Government has directed all private unaided schools to establish School-Level Fee Regulation Committees by July 15, 2026, under the new fee transparency law aimed at preventing arbitrary fee hikes and improving accountability.

In a significant move to improve transparency and accountability in school fee structures, the Delhi Government has directed all private unaided schools in the national capital to constitute School-Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) by July 15, 2026. The directive comes under the provisions of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, which seeks to regulate fee increases and protect parents from unjustified financial burdens.

The new framework is expected to bring greater participation of parents and teachers in decisions related to school fee revisions and financial transparency.

What Are School-Level Fee Regulation Committees?

The School-Level Fee Regulation Committee (SLFRC) is a statutory body that every private unaided school must establish to review and approve fee structures for the upcoming academic years. These committees will act as an oversight mechanism to ensure that fee increases are reasonable, justified, and supported by verifiable financial records.

The committees are expected to include representatives from:

School management
Parents
Teachers
Independent observers or nominees, as prescribed by the rules

This composition aims to ensure balanced decision-making and increased transparency in fee-related matters.

Why Has the Delhi Government Introduced This System?

The move follows repeated concerns from parents regarding steep and often unexplained fee hikes in private schools. The Delhi Government believes that education should remain accessible and should not become a purely commercial activity.

According to Education Minister Ashish Sood, schools will now have to justify any proposed fee increase based on specific financial and operational parameters rather than citing inflation alone as a reason for higher charges.

Schools Must Justify Fee Hikes on 18 Parameters

Under the new framework, schools seeking to revise fees will have to provide evidence based on 18 prescribed parameters, including:

Infrastructure development and expansion
Recruitment of teachers and staff
Transportation facilities
Safety and security arrangements
Technology upgrades
Academic improvement initiatives
Maintenance and operational costs

Fee hikes based solely on rising prices or inflation will not be accepted without supporting evidence.

Three-Year Fee Plans and Audited Accounts

Private schools have also been instructed to submit their fee proposals for a three-year period to the committee by July 31, 2026. These proposals must be accompanied by audited financial statements covering the previous three years and certified by a Chartered Accountant.

The government has clarified that unaudited statements or self-certified documents will not be accepted for fee approval purposes.

What Happens If Schools Fail to Comply?

The Delhi Government has warned of strict action against institutions that fail to establish the committees within the prescribed timeline or do not follow the fee regulation framework.

Schools that do not comply may face regulatory scrutiny and penalties under the provisions of the Act.

What Does This Mean for Parents?

For parents, the new system promises:

Greater transparency in fee determination.
Representation in decision-making.
Better access to financial information related to fee hikes.
Protection against arbitrary increases in school charges.

The initiative is expected to reduce disputes between schools and parents while building trust through a more participative process.

Official Resources and Live Links

Conclusion

The Delhi Government’s decision to mandate School-Level Fee Regulation Committees marks a major shift toward transparency in private school finances. By involving parents and insisting on audited financial records, the administration hopes to create a more accountable and equitable education ecosystem in the capital.

With the July 15 deadline approaching, private schools are expected to move quickly to establish these committees and align themselves with the new regulatory framework for the academic sessions ahead.