No new fee hike till April 2026, FFRC tells private schools

Srinagar, Dec 8: Amid complaints from parents over private schools issuing new fee cards with increased charges from November, the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) has clarified that the fee structure already approved for private schools for the 2025-26 academic session will remain valid till March 2026. Any revised fee can only be charged from April 2026 onward.

The clarification comes after several parents approached the FFRC, alleging that schools had begun collecting fees for the 2026-27 session immediately after annual results were declared. Many institutions reportedly issued fresh fee cards to students reflecting a hike much earlier than permitted.

In response to the complaints, FFRC Chairman Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali issued a circular on Monday reiterating that the current fee structure will continue for the entire academic year up to March 31, 2026.

He confirmed the development while speaking to Greater Kashmir. "The fee structure approved for the 2025-26 session is applicable till March 2026. Any fee hike for the next session will come into effect only from April 2026," Justice Hali said. He added that one of the complaints received stated that a school had already begun charging enhanced fees from November—something he termed as a violation of FFRC norms.

The circular issued by the committee notes that despite clear guidelines, some schools in Kashmir and winter zones of Jammu were demanding fees for the 2026-27 session soon after the academic session rollover in November. The FFRC stressed that academic and financial sessions are separate and must not be treated as the same.

"The financial year begins on April 1 each year, and the fee structure has been fixed accordingly. Schools are therefore directed not to charge any fee for 2026-27 from November onwards," the circular reads.

It further states that private schools must charge the next session fee only in March 2026 for the academic year 2026-27, ensuring that parents are billed according to the approved cycle. For the new session, fee collection will officially start from April 1, 2026, instead of November 2025.

The FFRC has cautioned schools to strictly adhere to the order, warning that defiance will invite strict action. "Schools must comply with the instructions, and any violation will be taken seriously," the directive states.

The committee has urged parents and schools to follow the financial-year-aligned fee framework to avoid confusion and ensure transparency in billing practices.