The Rajasthan Assembly passed the Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025. The Bill aims to regulate coaching centres to protect students’ interests and reduce stress linked to competitive exam preparation. The move follows rising student suicides in coaching hubs like Kota and Sikar. The law introduces registration, oversight, and minimum standards for coaching institutes. It has sparked debate over its effectiveness and impact on the coaching industry.
Background and Context
Rajasthan has faced a crisis of student suicides linked to coaching centres. From 2019 to 2023, 88 students died by suicide, mostly in Kota and Sikar. The High Court took suo motu action in 2015 after multiple suicides. It commissioned studies and urged legislation to address mental health and stress in coaching environments. The Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2025 brought into light the absence of national regulation and issues like financial fraud and drug abuse in coaching centres.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The Bill establishes a Rajasthan Coaching Centres Authority with education, police, health, and parent representatives. District-level committees will oversee registration, fee regulation, grievance redressal, and teaching standards. Coaching centres must register within three months of the law’s enactment. They must have a minimum space of 1 sq metre per student and employ tutors with at least graduate degrees. Centres cannot make misleading promises about exam results. Weekly days off for students and teachers are mandatory, and coaching hours are limited to five per day.
Impact on Economy and Students
Coaching centres are vital to Rajasthan’s economy. Kota and Sikar rely heavily on this sector, with 50 lakh students enrolled statewide. The industry is valued at Rs 60,000 crore and supports around 10 lakh people directly or indirectly. The Bill’s regulations aim to protect students’ mental health and ensure fair practices but raise concerns about economic effects, especially on smaller centres.
Criticism and Controversies
Opposition and some ruling party members criticised the Bill for not fully addressing student suicides. It does not mandate psychological or career counselling, seen as essential by experts. The Bill deviates from Union Ministry of Education guidelines, such as enrolling students below 16 years. Critics argue the law could encourage bureaucratic delays and inspector raj. There are fears it may push smaller coaching centres out of business or out of the state, harming local economies.
Legislative Amendments
The Bill was sent to a Select Committee, which reduced penalties and raised the minimum size for applicable centres from 50 to 100 students. These changes were criticised as favouring coaching centres over students. The government defended the Bill as a balanced approach to avoid overburdening the coaching industry while improving regulation.
Future Implications
The Bill sets a precedent for regulating the coaching industry in India. Its success depends on strict enforcement and addressing mental health comprehensively. It may inspire similar laws in other states facing coaching-related challenges. The balance between student welfare and economic interests remains a key issue.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the role of state legislation in regulating educational coaching centres and its impact on student welfare and local economies.
- Critically examine the challenges of addressing mental health issues among students preparing for competitive examinations in India.
- Explain the importance of regulatory frameworks in controlling commercialisation in the education sector with suitable examples.
- With suitable examples, discuss the interplay between economic dependence on a sector and the need for regulatory reforms in the context of Rajasthan’s coaching industry.
