Delhi CM Rekha Gupta warns private schools; no forced buying of uniforms, books, stationery from tied vendors

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta has issued a stern warning to private schools saying that no institution can compel parents to purchase uniforms, books or stationery from a designated school-linked shop or a single approved vendor.

In a video shared by Delhi CM through X, Gupta said parents are fully free to buy academic supplies from any market or seller of their choice and any attempt by schools to create a captive buying system will invite strict legal action.

The chief minister said she can walk into any private school in Delhi for inspection at any time and indicated that such checks will no longer remain symbolic. She said, “every private school will now be required to prominently display on its notice board, official website and any school-operated store that guardians are not bound to purchase books, notebooks, stationery items or uniforms from institution-controlled counters.”

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Delhi Private schools: Toughest action warning

Gupta further warned private schools that any violation, concealment or manipulative practice found during inspections could attract the “toughest action available under law.” Significantly, she added that even institutional takeover is “not beyond consideration,” making this one of the strongest warnings issued by the Delhi government to private school managements in recent months.

The chief minister said that the move follows repeated complaints from parents alleging that several private schools either directly run internal supply shops or unofficially pressure families into buying overpriced materials from tied vendors, often making it difficult for parents to exercise independent choice in the open market.