Delhi Government Suspends Fee Regulation Law for Private Schools

In a significant move, the Delhi government has decided to suspend the implementation of the fee regulation law for private schools, offering them much-needed relief. This decision comes after the Supreme Court requested a reconsideration of the law's application. The government clarified that no additional fees would be charged beyond what has already been collected for the upcoming academic year. This ruling addresses concerns raised by schools about the challenges of implementing new regulations mid-session. The law remains valid and will be enforced once procedural issues are resolved. The Supreme Court has deemed the immediate implementation of the law impractical, leading to a practical pause rather than a complete withdrawal of the regulation.

By Ambika Singh Feb 3, 2026, 08:49 IST

Delhi Government's Decision on Fee Regulation

New Delhi: The Delhi government has provided significant relief to private schools this year, marking a new development in the fee regulation issue. The government has decided not to implement the fee regulation law. This information was conveyed to the Supreme Court on Monday. This decision was made after the court requested the Directorate of Education (DOI) to reconsider its decision regarding the implementation of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fee Setting and Regulation) Act, 2025.

Petition Filed by Private Schools

Private schools filed a petition in court to halt the implementation of the law for the academic year 2025-26. The additional solicitor general representing the Delhi government, SV Raju, presented a gazette notification published on February 1 (Sunday) before Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, stating that schools would not charge any fees beyond what has already been collected before April 1, 2025, for the academic year 2025-26.

Details of the Order

The order specifies that any excessive fees charged by schools for the academic year 2025-26 will be regulated and addressed according to the law, provided that the validity of the Act and regulations is challenged in proceedings pending before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.

Relief for Private Schools

This ruling has brought relief to private schools that were expressing concerns about the challenges of implementing a new system mid-session.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has maintained that the law remains intact and will be enforced once procedural hurdles raised by the courts are resolved.

No Further Orders Required

The bench reviewed the order and noted that its primary concern was the urgency with which the law was being attempted to be implemented for the current academic year.

Concluding the appeals from schools, the bench stated, 'In light of the clarification, there is no need to pass any further orders.'

Interim Order from High Court

On January 19, the Supreme Court remarked that implementing this law in the current academic session would be 'impractical.' Schools had appealed against the interim order from the High Court issued on January 9, which denied a stay on the law and the circular mandating its implementation dated December 24.

Schools were instructed to form fee regulation committees by January 2026 instead of the previous deadline of July 15. In response to this development, school management described the decision as a practical pause rather than a retreat.