Delhi High Court Issues Notice on PIL Against Private Schools Forcing EWS Students to Buy Costly Books

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a PIL alleging that private schools in Delhi are excluding Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students by forcing them to purchase expensive private publisher books costing ₹10,000–12,000 annually.

The division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela sought responses from the Delhi Government, CBSE, and NCERT.

The plea argues this practice defeats the Right To Education Act mandate of 25% EWS admissions since the government reimburses only ₹5,000.

Despite CBSE directives to use NCERT books priced at around ₹700, schools prescribe costly alternatives. The matter is listed for November 12.