Chandigarh: The Punjab Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-Aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. Under the amended law, private schools will not be allowed to increase annual fees by more than 5%.
The Bill was passed amid protests by Congress MLAs and Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh. The Independent MLA demanded 10 minutes to speak on the Bill, but his request was not accepted. He subsequently entered the Well of the House, with Congress legislators joining him in protest and raising slogans against the Speaker.
Congress MLAs later returned to their seats, while Rana Inder Pratap Singh continued his protest. The Assembly subsequently passed the three digital university Bills as well.
Relief for parents of 32 lakh students
The fee cap is expected to provide relief to parents of around 32 lakh students studying in nearly 7,800 private schools across Punjab.
Under the new provisions, schools seeking to increase fees by more than 5% will have to obtain approval from the district regulatory body at least 180 days in advance.
Schools that have increased fees by more than 15% during the past 36 months will also be required to refund the excess amount to parents within 90 days.
The legislation further prohibits schools from forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms or other items from specific shops.
Schools violating the provisions could face penalties of up to ₹5 lakh.
Three digital university Bills also passed
The Assembly also passed three Bills relating to digital universities:
Cloud University Hoshiarpur Bill, 2026
MS Digital University Patiala Bill, 2026
Physics Wallah Digital University Patiala Bill, 2026.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the institutions would provide students with affordable and quality education while helping them keep pace with changing educational and technological requirements.
