SC raps Delhi private schools for fee hike without govt nod

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up private unaided schools in Delhi for sharply hiking tuition fees without prior government approval, questioning how institutions receiving land at concessional or no cost could unilaterally raise fees.

“If land is allotted free of cost or at a concessional rate, how can you exorbitantly increase fees without the government’s nod?” asked a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud (note: original says CJI B R Gavai, but verify with source) and Justice A G Masih, reported The Times of India.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Naya Samaj Parents Association, which challenged two Delhi High Court orders that had permitted such fee hikes by unaided private schools without prior approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE). The petitioner argued that schools were penalising students who couldn't afford the fees, causing distress among students and parents.


The SC bench directed the Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools and the Delhi government’s education directorate to file their responses within three weeks.

The petition contended that the HC orders contradicted previous Supreme Court rulings—particularly the 2004 Modern School case—that mandated schools situated on government-allotted land must obtain prior approval from the DoE before increasing tuition fees.

Quoting the earlier SC verdict, the plea said: “The quantum of fees to be charged by unaided private schools is subject to regulation by DoE under Section 17(3) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.” The court had also emphasised that private schools must not engage in profiteering or commercialisation of education.

The current challenge comes amid broader concerns over affordability and transparency in fee structures in Delhi’s private school sector.With inputs from ToI