Overview
- The court said it is not inclined to stay the 2025 law now but stressed adherence to the Act’s statutory timelines.
- The judges warned that hurried, retrospective application to the 2025–26 year could create practical and financial strain, including potential recovery from schools.
- The Delhi government told the court that fees currently charged would be treated as the proposed fee for 2025–26, with any approved fee to apply from April 2025.
- Petitioners argued the new law conflicts with the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and challenged a December circular directing rapid formation of School Level Fee Regulation Committees.
- The High Court earlier declined to stay the notification but extended deadlines to January 20 for constituting SLFRCs and February 5 for fee proposals, as the Supreme Court listed the case for further hearing.