Delhi Introduces “Education Transparency Act 2025” to Rein in Private School Fees

Delhi government has announced Delhi School Education Act 2025 to regulate private school fee hikes, with provision of strong penalties.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood have introduced Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025. Bill has been announced to curb arbitrary fee hikes and bring accountability and parent participation into school governance.

This legislation mandates hundreds of private unaided schools in Delhi to disclose proposed fee structures and financial records and imposes a capped limit on unilateral hikes.

Important Provisions of Bill

Mandatory Fee Approval: Fee hikes to be allowed only once every three years and subject to pre approval.

Three Tier Oversight

There will be a School Level Committee chaired by management with parents, teachers, and DoE representatives.

District Appellate Committee for grievances.

State-Level Regulatory Tribunal with binding authority.

Penalty- Fine range from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh per offence; schools may lose recognition for repeated breaches. Fees can’t exceed approved amount during dispute resolution.

A controversial 15 percent cap clause allows small internal hikes annually without higher level approval, drawing criticism from parent.

AAP leader, Atishi protested within state Assembly, calling bill a “sham” favoring private schools, and urged it be sent to a select committee. They highlighted lack of rollback clauses, constraints on audit oversight, and unrealistic 15 percent consent thresholds.

Parents across Delhi remain divided, while some see it as overdue reform, others warn it may entrench bureaucratic control, reduce access to courts, and weaken current audit regulations.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood framed the move as a watershed moment in Delhi education governance: “Education is not a thing to be sold… this bill aims to stop the commercialisation of education.”

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