The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to streamline the rollout of Delhi’s ambitious fee regulation framework for private schools, accepting a government commitment to delay it beyond the current academic cycle. The Act, 2025, will debut in 2026-27, sidestepping implementation pitfalls.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju conveyed the Directorate’s stance during hearings before Justice P.S. Narasimha. The bench, having previously critiqued mid-session activation as disruptive, lauded the revised plan as sensible, obviating court orders.
Enshrined to foster fee accountability, the legislation compels schools to establish inclusive committees for fixation processes: featuring management, academic staff, parent representatives, and regulatory oversight. Transparency reigns in deliberations, supplemented by appellate bodies at district levels.
Prohibitions on capitation and unregulated extras aim to shield families from undue costs. Amid ongoing High Court litigation by school associations on validity, the apex court honed in on execution logistics.
Parent forums rejoiced at the equilibrium struck, anticipating moderated hikes and preparatory buffers for institutions. This episode highlights collaborative governance in education reform, bolstering access and equity in Delhi’s diverse schooling ecosystem.