Parliament Question: Regulation of fees in private educational institutions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2927 ANSWERED ON 18/03/2026 Regulation of fees in private educational institutions 2927 Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is planning to formulate a central legislation or regulatory framework for regulation of fees charged by private educational institutions across the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the timeline for its implementation; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; (d) whether it is a fact that some private schools charge readmission/annual charges from students every year in addition to tuition and other fees; (e) if so, whether Government proposes to regulate or cap such recurring charges under any policy or regulatory mechanism; and (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (f): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Schools, other than those owned/funded by the Central Government, are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments. Therefore, matters relating to fees charged by private schools and related issues are regulated in terms of the Rules and Instructions of the respective State Government concerned. However, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, every child, of the age of six to fourteen years, has a right to free and compulsory elementary education in a neighbourhood school. Section 12(1) (c) of the RTE Act, 2009 mandates reservation in private unaided schools for children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups to the extent of at least 25% seats at the entry level and provision of free and compulsory elementary education to such children till its completion. Also, Section 13 of the RTE Act, 2009, clearly prohibits the collection of any capitation fee. Also, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a circular vide No.08/2018 dated 21.06.2018 containing directions issued to all schools affiliated with CBSE with regard to the sale of books, stationery items and uniforms within school premises, available at the link: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Circulars//2019- 20Circular/Circular/Circular%20No.08%20(Sale%20of%20Books,%20Stationery%20Items%20an d%20Uniforms%20in%20Schools).pdf ******