What began as an experimental expansion of neighborhood coaching centers by a few entities in Kota during the 1990s has grown into a massive Rs 58,000 crore coaching industry that spans across every city in India. Kota, in particular, has emerged as the coaching capital of the country, attracting over 2 lakh students annually to more than 100 coaching centers, both big and small, offering preparatory courses for various competitive examinations such as IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, CUET, and CLAT.
In the last two decades, Kota and other parts of Rajasthan have witnessed the unchecked proliferation of coaching centers operating in an unregulated environment. The success of Kota as a coaching hub has largely been driven by a business solution to meet the aspirations of millions of students, overwhelmingly fueled by parental dreams. Many providers have capitalized on the promise of guaranteed success, often employing unethical business practices, including false claims, to lure hordes of students each year.
Over time, the high-pressure atmosphere created by these institutes, focused on producing top results, has led to increasing concerns. Stories of disillusionment, despair, and depression among students have become widespread. Tragically, the annual spate of suicides and a few major fatal fire and flooding incidents, involving these centers has led to growing public criticism of their operations and safety standards, underscoring the urgent need for regulation.
In response to this growing crisis, the Central Government issued guidelines on January 16, 2024, aimed at registering and regulating coaching centers. These guidelines were distributed to all State Governments and Union Territories to assist in the formulation of a robust legal framework. “Following these guidelines, the Rajasthan State Government has introduced the Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025,” the education minister said while tabling the bill.
The Bill proposes the establishment of the Rajasthan Coaching Centres Control and Regulation Authority, which will oversee the enforcement and monitoring of the legislation across the state. It stipulates that all coaching centers in Rajasthan must be registered and comply with minimum standards and requirements for registration. “By regulating these centers, the State aims to create a healthier, more supportive environment for students pursuing their academic and professional goals,” the minister added during the Bill’s introduction on March 19, 2025.
Under the proposed Bill, the state-level Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Authority will have the powers of a civil court to enforce the provisions of the Act. The District Committee will be the primary authority responsible for overseeing implementation at the district level. This committee will include the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Chief Executive Officer of the concerned Urban Local Body, Chief Medical and Health Officer, District Education Officer, a psychiatrist, and an officer from the Rajasthan Accounts Service, tasked with registering and regulating coaching institutes.
The Bill also includes provisions for a web-based registration system for coaching centers. Each branch of a coaching center will need to apply separately for registration. The District Committee will ensure the implementation of policies and regulations, including the creation of a Grievance Redressal Cell at the district and block levels to resolve complaints from students and parents. Additionally, the committee will work to curb malpractices such as misleading advertisements, false promises, and deceptive offers made by coaching centers.
The Bill also empowers the District Committee to inspect the records of coaching centers, either on its own initiative or in response to complaints. It further mandates that coaching centers refrain from conducting classes during regular school hours to avoid disrupting students’ school attendance.
Key provisions of the Bill include requirements for the qualification of tutors (at least a graduate degree), adequate space (one square meter per student), and a website with updated information about tutors, courses, facilities, fees, and success rates. Additionally, coaching centers must comply with safety codes, including fire safety and building standards, and display emergency contact information at a conspicuous location. Centers are also required to have CCTV cameras, a complaint register, and a psychological counseling system to ensure students’ mental well-being.
Coaching centers that violate the registration conditions will face penalties: Rs 2 lakh for the first violation, Rs 5 lakh for the second, and the potential cancellation of their registration for further violations.
Is this Bill implementable?
One key issue that remains unaddressed is the absence of a minimum age requirement, as suggested by Ministry of Education guidelines (16 years), and the lack of an aptitude test for student admissions—both of which are considered crucial for the success of the regulation. Coaching, despite growing negative perception, is going nowhere. As an industry it may take the changes in its stride and innovate, diversify and drive its business. The fundamental reason of for which coaching flourished —the subpar quality of school education— still remains the core issue and unresolved. With board exams now serving merely as a qualifying criterion, the overall quality of schooling continues to decline. As a result, parents will likely persist in seeking coaching institutes to help their children succeed in entrance exams.
With statutory requirements of proper infrastructure and add on facilities, coaching industry has already started rallying small centres, who will find it difficult to comply and possibly face prospect of close down for institutional status and land on lines of schools. This means coaching industry will contest and raise support at every given opportunity to safeguard itself from adverse impact.
National Impact
As the Rajasthan Assembly debates this legislation, the proposed Bill is expected to set a precedent for other states. It has drawn increased attention to the mental well-being of students and the role coaching centers play in shaping their futures. Discussions around limiting entrance exam eligibility based on school board scores and recommendations are gaining traction, alongside a greater focus on career and psychological counseling services. This Bill, therefore, marks a critical turning point in addressing the challenges posed by the coaching industry.
All eyes are now on the Rajasthan Assembly to see how the legislation evolves.
