Supreme Court Raises Questions Over Implementation of Delhi School Education Act

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the manner in which the Delhi Government plans to implement the Delhi School Education Act 2025 for the ongoing academic session. The Court emphasized that while it is not keen to interfere with the legislation itself, its execution must be practical and in line with statutory timelines, as the session has already commenced. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 27 January 2026.

Court’s Observations
A bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe asked the government to provide detailed instructions regarding the Act’s implementation. The Court also inquired about the approval process for fees for the 2025–26 session under the previous law and how the new Act could be applied retrospectively for the same session.

The Court noted that although the Act was created with legitimate regulatory objectives, the timeline adopted for its implementation appears impractical and raises concerns, particularly since the academic session is already underway.

Petitions by Private Unaided Schools
These remarks came during hearings on petitions filed by associations of private unaided schools, which challenged the Act and a related circular. The circular outlines the formation of school-level committees and procedures for fee approval.

Provisions of the Act
The Act seeks to regulate arbitrary fee hikes in private schools in Delhi, set fee limits, and ensure transparency in fee collection. It also provides for a fine of ₹50,000 on schools causing distress to students over fees. Repeated violations may allow the government to seal and even sell school property to recover dues.

The Supreme Court’s scrutiny highlights the challenges of implementing new regulations mid-session and the need for practical compliance mechanisms to protect both students and educational institutions.