NHRC complaint flags admission irregularities in Delhi

A complaint submitted to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised allegations of irregularities in the admission process at a private school in West Delhi. The matter is currently under examination.

The complaint, filed on March 2, 2026, has been forwarded to the Directorate of Education (DoE), which has been asked to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks.

According to the Directorate of Education, the NHRC complaint is currently under investigation by the Deputy Director of Education, West-B. “The ATR has not been filed yet. When it is filed it will be ratified by the DoE,” a senior official said. Presently, the four weeks deadline has already passed.

Allegations in complaint

The complainant, who requested anonymity, alleged that the school engaged in practices that he described as coercive during the admission process. According to the complaint, parents were asked to deposit Rs 45,000 without a formal receipt and were required to sign agreements linked to student performance.

The complainant also alleged that parents were asked to surrender their mobile phones before entering the school premises and were not allowed to retain copies of the documents they were asked to sign.

He further claimed that he felt intimidated during his interaction with school authorities. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Such concerns come against a broader backdrop where some parents report financial strain and procedural opacity during admissions in private schools, including difficulties in obtaining documentation or clarity on payment-related processes. In some instances, parents also flag the absence of written records or copies of signed documents, making it difficult to substantiate grievances.

Regulatory position

According to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), students are required to secure at least 33% marks to pass examinations. Similar criteria apply to internal assessments up to Class 9.

Information available on the school’s website states that it follows CBSE guidelines for promotion. However, the complainant has alleged that additional conditions were imposed during admission.

CBSE norms indicate that such minimum passing criteria apply uniformly, and any additional academic conditions outside prescribed guidelines may require scrutiny by regulatory authorities.

The school, when contacted, said in an email that it had submitted its response to the Directorate of Education. The principal could not be reached despite multiple attempts.

Wider concerns

Parent groups say they have received complaints related to admission practices in private schools, though such cases vary and require verification.

“There have been complaints from some parents regarding admission-related issues. However, each case requires proper documentation and investigation,” said Aprajita Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents’ Association.

She added that some parents choose not to come forward publicly. “In certain cases, parents are hesitant to speak on record due to concerns about the impact on their children,” she said.

Some parent representatives also point out that in the absence of documented transactions or written agreements, it can be difficult to establish the nature of such complaints, which complicates enforcement and redressal. They add that complaints are often made anonymously, which, while protecting families, can also limit the availability of verifiable evidence.

Court observations

In a separate matter last year, the Delhi High Court observed that the use of coercive measures such as deploying bouncers in schools is inappropriate and has no place in educational institutions. The observation was made while hearing a dispute related to fee issues.

The court had also underlined that practices involving intimidation or undue pressure in educational settings can adversely affect the dignity and well-being of students.

Ongoing audit

Separately, the Directorate of Education has initiated audits of private unaided recognised schools in Delhi. The exercise will cover around 1,794 schools and examine financial records over the past three years.

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According to the department, the audits aim to identify irregularities and strengthen oversight of financial practices in private schools. The review will include scrutiny of financial statements to detect anomalies, suspicious transactions, and possible violations, following a standard operating procedure issued by the DoE.

Officials said routine inspections based on individual complaints may not always be sufficient, and a broader financial review is intended to improve transparency and accountability across institutions.