On February 28, 2026, the Delhi High Court issued a significant interim order regarding private school fee regulation. Here is the breakdown of the court's decision and its impact on the 2026–27 academic session.
Delhi HC Stays Fee Regulation Notification (Feb 2026)
The Delhi High Court has put the Delhi government’s February 1, 2026 notification in abeyance (on hold). This notification had mandated all private unaided schools to immediately form School-Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) to approve fee structures for the next three years.
Key Highlights of the Order:
- Status Quo on Fees: Schools are permitted to collect the same fees for the 2026–27 academic year as they did in the previous year (2025–26) until a final decision is reached.
- Timeline "Unworkable": A Division Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the government's compressed timelines (requiring committees to be formed within 10 days) were prima facie unworkable and legally unsustainable.
- Next Hearing: The court has scheduled the final hearing for March 12, 2026.
- No Irreparable Loss: The court noted that staying the notification wouldn't cause "irreparable loss" to students, as any excess fees charged would be subject to refund or adjustment based on the final court verdict.
