Education – Delhi High Court Seeks Government Reply on Private Schools’ Fee Panel Challenge
Education – The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government to respond to petitions filed by private schools questioning the implementation of the latest fee regulation framework, bringing fresh attention to the ongoing legal dispute over school fee governance.
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to submit its response to a group of petitions filed by private unaided schools challenging the implementation of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025. The petitions oppose a recent circular issued by the Directorate of Education that requires schools to establish School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) under the new law.
Court Seeks Government’s Stand
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to the Delhi government and instructed it to file its reply by July 20. The court observed that the principal matter is already scheduled for hearing on that date and indicated that it would consider all connected issues together.
During the hearing, the bench also assured the petitioners that if the authorities initiate any action against them before the next hearing, they may immediately approach the court. The judges advised all parties to maintain the present position until the matter is taken up again.
Private Schools Raise Concerns
Among the petitioners is the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools, which has sought protection from any coercive measures for not constituting the School Level Fee Regulation Committees. The association argued that schools should not face administrative action while the legality of the new provisions remains under judicial examination.
The schools contend that the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, contains provisions that are arbitrary and unfair. According to the petitions, the legislation places unreasonable obligations on private educational institutions and requires judicial scrutiny before being enforced.
Fresh Circular Becomes New Point of Dispute
The petitioners also questioned a circular issued by the Directorate of Education on June 30. They argued that the latest communication effectively repeats an earlier directive issued on February 1, despite the High Court having previously kept that earlier order in abeyance for the current academic session.
According to the schools, the June circular once again directs institutions to establish School Level Fee Regulation Committees and submit fee proposals covering a three-year block, including the 2026-27 academic session. The petitioners claim this amounts to reviving instructions that were already under challenge before the court.
Hearing Scheduled for July 20
The High Court has now fixed July 20 for the next hearing, when it is expected to examine both the government’s response and the objections raised by the petitioning schools. The outcome could influence how the fee regulation law is implemented across private schools in Delhi and determine whether the Directorate of Education can proceed with enforcing the committee requirement while the legal challenge remains pending.
Separate Court Development in Shraddha Walkar Case
In a separate development, a Delhi court rescheduled proceedings in the Shraddha Walkar murder case after accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala informed the court that he would be appearing for his final Master of Arts examination in Sociology from Tihar Jail on July 20.
Accepting the request, the court cancelled the hearing fixed for that day and ordered that the recording of prosecution evidence should begin on July 21. The remaining hearing dates previously scheduled in the case will continue without any further changes.