The Supreme Court of India, on 17 March, held that minority educational institutions were not exempted from admission and fee regulatory committee (AFRC).

Bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjay Kumar heard a petition whereby the question before the Court was whether a minority educational institution in the State of Madhya Pradesh was required to get the fees charged by it fixed by the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Niji Vyavsayik Shikshan Sanstha (Pravesh Ka Viniyaman Avam Shulk Ka Nirdharan) Adhiniyam, 2007.

The Court held that, "It is not open to the AFRC to seek to unilaterally fix the fees to be charged by the appellant society for the professional courses offered through its educational institutions. At the same time, it is not open to the appellant society to claim complete immunity in undertaking this exercise and seek exemption from any interference by the AFRC."

The Court held that the appellant society must necessarily submit the fees proposed by it in respect of the professional courses offered through its institutions to the AFRC for the purpose of review and regulation, as per the provisions of Section 9 of the Act of 2007.

The appeal was disposed of.

Icon Education Society vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

SLP (Civil) No. 4006/2021