Madras High Court Orders Private Schools to Display Fee Structure Publicly

The Madras High Court on Wednesday invoked its constitutional powers under Article 226 to direct all private schools in Tamil Nadu to display their fee structure on notice boards and websites. Justice M. Dhandapani ordered the Director of Private Schools to ensure that fees fixed by the government-appointed committee, as well as other approved fees, are updated periodically.

The order came while disposing of a petition filed by the All India Private Educational Institutions Association, which challenged a June 1, 2026 circular from the Director of Private Schools. That circular was based on a May 25, 2026 order of the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) under the Right to Information Act.

The association argued that private unaided schools are not 'public authorities' under the RTI Act, and thus the TNSIC order was invalid. Justice Dhandapani agreed on that point, noting that schools not substantially financed or controlled by the government do not fall under the RTI Act's definition. However, he held that the High Court could still issue directions under its extraordinary jurisdiction because the schools are regulated by the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 2019.

The judge emphasised that transparency in fee structure is essential for parents to make informed choices and avoid unexpected financial burdens after admission. The ruling applies to all schools covered under the 2019 Act.