New Delhi: Societies and public trusts seeking institutional land from govt or a municipal corporation at concessional rates or through auction to establish private schools in Delhi will have to obtain an essentiality certificate from the lieutenant governor before the land is purchased or allotted.
The changes are part of the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified by the directorate of education on Sept 30. The amendments modify Rule 44 of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, which governs the procedure for opening new schools, and came into force on their publication in the official gazette. Under the amended Rule 44, the administrator may examine details submitted by an applicant, conduct inquiries and determine whether opening a proposed school would be in public interest.
The final rules follow a draft notification issued on Aug 10, inviting objections and suggestions from people likely to be affected. No objection or suggestion was received during the stipulated period, according to the Sept 30 notification. The Centre conveyed its prior approval through the ministry of home affairs on Sept 17, following an office memorandum of the department of school education and literacy, dated Sept 11.
If a zone was found to already have enough schools to meet local requirements, the applicant could be informed that another school in that area was not necessary. The administrator could instead identify an alternative zone where there was a need for a new school. However, the amendment removes this public-interest assessment for societies or public trusts planning to set up private schools on privately owned commercial land.
Earlier, the administrator was empowered to scrutinise the details submitted with an application and could determine whether establishing a school would serve the public interest. A different condition applies when such entities seek institutional land from govt or a municipal corporation at a concessional rate or through auction: they must secure an essentiality certificate from the administrator before the land can be purchased or allotted.