Over 32 lakh students and families to benefit from new fee regulation ordinance

Chandigarh, 13 July (H.S.): The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has brought private school fees under a strict regulatory framework by promulgating the Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The move is expected to provide major relief to more than 32 lakh students and their families across the state.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the ordinance has come into effect from today after receiving the Governor’s consent. He said education cannot be allowed to become a business and private educational institutions will have to function with transparency and accountability.

Under the new ordinance, annual fee hikes by private unaided schools have been capped at 5 percent. Any increase beyond this limit will require prior approval from the regulatory authority. The government has also directed all private schools to upload complete fee records for the last four years on the designated portal within 10 days.

The Chief Minister said schools that have increased their fees by more than 15 percent in total during the last three years will have to refund the excess amount collected from parents. He added that a forensic audit will be conducted to verify the actual fees collected by schools through different modes.

Mann clarified that all charges collected from parents, including transport charges, building funds and other miscellaneous fees, will be treated as part of the fee for regulatory purposes. He said schools will not be allowed to collect money under different heads to bypass the rules.

The ordinance also provides for strict penalties in case of violations. A private school violating the provisions for the first time will face a fine of ₹50,000, while a second violation will attract a fine of ₹1 lakh. In case of a third violation, the school’s affiliation may be cancelled along with other stringent action.

The Chief Minister said nearly 7,800 private schools are functioning in Punjab, with over 32 lakh students enrolled in them. He said the ordinance has been introduced to protect students and parents from unjustified financial burden.

A District Regulatory Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner will examine and regulate proposals related to fee hikes. Mann said the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring quality education for every student and will not allow profiteering in the education sector.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH