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Delhi HC Stays Govt Order on School Fee Panels, Allows Status Quo on Fees

The Delhi High Court has put the Delhi government's notification mandating School-Level Fee Regulation Committees on hold. The court ordered that schools may continue charging the same fees as the previous academic year for 2026-27, pending the final outcome. The petitions, challenged by school associations, argue the government's order illegally altered timelines set by the Delhi School Education Act. The case is scheduled for a final hearing on March 12, 2026.

Key Points: Delhi HC Stays Order on School Fee Regulation Committees

  • Court stays Feb 1 fee panel notification
  • Schools can charge same fees for 2026-27
  • Final hearing scheduled for March 12, 2026
  • Petitioners argued order altered statutory timelines
2 min read

Delhi HC stays government order on school fee panels; allows status quo on fees

Delhi High Court puts Delhi government's fee panel notification on hold, allowing schools to maintain current fee structure until final hearing.

"The notification shall remain in abeyance until the petitions are finally decided. - Delhi High Court Bench"

New Delhi, February 28

The Delhi High Court on Saturday put on hold the Delhi government's February 1 notification directing private schools in the national capital to set up School-Level Fee Regulation Committees and submit proposed fee structures for the next three academic years.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia ordered that the notification shall remain in abeyance until the petitions are finally decided.

The Court clarified that, for the academic year 2026-27, schools may continue charging the same fees as in the previous academic year, subject to the final outcome of the case.

The Bench observed that it would be appropriate to defer the constitution of the SLFRCs while the matter is pending. Accordingly, clauses 3(1) and 3(2) of the notification have been kept in abeyance. The Court also directed that the petitions are scheduled for final hearing on March 12, 2026.

The matter stems from a gazette notification issued on February 1 by the Delhi government, requiring private unaided schools to constitute SLFRCs within 10 days (by February 10) and submit details of proposed fee structures for the next three academic sessions within 14 days thereafter.

School associations, including the Delhi Public School Society and the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools, challenged the move. They argued that the notification altered timelines prescribed under the Delhi School Education Act and was therefore legally unsustainable.

On Friday, the High Court had reserved its order on interim relief after hearing detailed arguments. The petitioners contended that the government could not modify statutory timelines through an executive notification.

Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju maintained that the timelines under the Act were not inflexible and could be reasonably adjusted. He submitted that the objective of the law is to prevent commercialisation and profiteering in education, and delaying its implementation could result in unregulated fee hikes affecting students and parents.

Earlier, on February 9, the High Court had extended the initial February 10 deadline for forming the committees. The Directorate of Education, in its response, stated that implementing the Act from April 1 was essential to ensure fee regulation and curb exploitative practices.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some sense! Schools cannot be forced to change their entire fee structure with just 10 days' notice. The Act has proper timelines for a reason. The government can't bypass the law with an executive order. Good decision by the HC. 👍
A
Anjali F
While I understand schools need time, the ASG has a point about preventing profiteering. Some private schools in Delhi charge exorbitant fees with very little transparency. The status quo might just mean another year of unchecked increases for parents. The 2026 hearing seems so far away!
V
Vikram M
This is the typical tug-of-war between private institutions and the state. The court maintaining status quo is a temporary relief, but the core issue remains. Education should not be a business, but schools also need funds to function. A balanced, long-term policy is needed, not these last-minute notifications.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the legal argument here about statutory timelines vs. executive power. The court's decision to defer until a final hearing seems procedurally correct. It protects both parties from arbitrary action while the matter is decided properly.
K
Karthik V
The government's heart is in the right place, but their approach is all wrong. You can't expect schools to plan for three years in two weeks! This kind of ad-hocism hurts everyone - schools, teachers, and ultimately our children's education. Better planning, please!

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