Punjab introduces fee capping and refunds for private schools' excess charges

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, has capped annual fee hikes for private unaided schools at 5%.
• 02Private schools in Punjab are required to refund excess fees collected from parents if the increase exceeds 15% over the last three years.
• 03The ordinance applies to both aided and unaided private schools in Punjab.
• 04The cap on annual fee hikes is applicable for a period of three years, as specified in the ordinance.
• 05Private schools are mandated to refund any excess amount charged from parents over the past three years, as per the Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
• 06The ordinance aims to ensure educational affordability for over 32 lakh students in Punjab.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the fee cap applies only to aided schools, but actually it also applies to unaided schools.
• Most people think the refund is applicable only if the increase exceeds 20%, but actually it's 15% over three years.