Parliament Question: Unfair commercial practices by private schools

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2920 ANSWERED ON 18/03/2026 Unfair commercial practices by private schools 2920 Shri Sant Balbir Singh: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that some private schools compel parents and students to purchase uniforms, textbooks, stationery and other materials exclusively from the school, leading to financial burden on common people; (b) the number of complaints received in the last five years regarding such practices, State-wise and city-wise; (c) whether Government has issued guidelines or directives to prevent such unfair commercial practices by private schools; and (d) measures being taken to ensure that the principle of "One Nation, One Education" translates into affordable and equitable access to education for all sections of society? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (b): 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 the management of private schools, including fees charged by them and related issues, are regulated in terms of the Rules and Instructions of the respective State Government concerned. (c): 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%20and %20Uniforms%20in%20Schools).pdf(d): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to ensure affordable and equitable education by focusing on universal access, enhancing infrastructure and providing targeted opportunities for socio-economically disadvantaged groups. It promotes inclusion through measures like the Gender- Inclusion fund to provide equitable quality education for all girls as well as transgender students. Targeted efforts are made to support SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities alongside special provisions for regions with high concentrations of disadvantaged students. The policy envisions strengthening public schools and ensuring no child is left behind due to background. Online platforms and virtual labs are promoted to enhance access in remote areas, addressing the digital divide. Also, 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. ******