Putting an end to arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed by voice vote the Punjab Regulation Of Fees Of Un-Aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for stronger protection of students and parents against excessive and opaque fee collection.
Under this legislation, private schools will not be allowed to increase fees by more than 5% in a new academic session, while every amount collected from parents under any head will be treated as fee and brought under regulation. The Punjab Government will also conduct forensic audits of private schools to identify excess collections and ensure that the additional amount is refunded to parents, with violations attracting fines of ₹50,000 for the first offence, ₹1 lakh for the second and cancellation of affiliation for the third.
Taking aim at the previous Congress government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that during Covid, when schools were shut and vehicles were not operating, parents were still forced to pay transport fees, making it clear that such exploitation would no longer be allowed in Punjab. The Chief Minister said his government will neither allow education to become a business nor let education mafias flourish in the state.
Winding up debate on the bill, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Money can be usurped by people like Vijay Malya but education cannot be snatched away from anyone. Earlier there was a sharp divide in the books, curriculum and teachers of the government and private schools. These schools were relegated to mid day meal centres in the state but these schools have been transformed now by the state government.”
He said, “The bill caps annual fee hikes at 5% and any increase beyond it shall require prior approval of the regulatory body. Further, the private schools that have increased fees by more than 15% in aggregate over the last three years shall be required to refund the excess amount collected from parents. The move will regulate private school fees, enforce transparency and accountability and protect over 32 lakh students and their families from unjustified financial burden.”