Context:
The Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025 was passed by the State Assembly on September 3, 2025, with the objective of regulating the coaching industry—especially hubs like Kota—to protect student welfare and counter the rise in suicides and commercialization. The move follows years of growing psychological distress among students enrolled in coaching institutes.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
The Bill mandates registration of coaching centres with over 100 students and sets up a Rajasthan Coaching Centres Regulation Authority with representation from education officials, police, psychiatrists, parents, and the coaching sector.
It introduces minimum standards for space (1 sq. m per student), tutor qualifications (minimum graduate), grievance redressal mechanisms, and mandatory websites listing success rates, staff credentials, and hostel details.
Student welfare measures include:
- Daily teaching limited to five hours
- Weekly days off for students and teachers
- Ban on misleading advertisements
- Availability of psychological counselling
Penalties: ₹50,000 for a first violation, ₹2 lakh for the second; repeated violations can lead to deregistration.
Key Implications:
· Ensures Student Well‑Being: Aims to curb rising mental health crises in coaching hubs through regulated schedules and counselling support, addressing the tragic pattern of student suicides.
· Balances Regulation with Economic Realities: While controlling exploitation, the bill maintains flexibility—such as raising enrollment thresholds—to avoid choking the coaching industry, which plays a significant role in Rajasthan’s economy.
· Reflects Governance in Education Reform: Demonstrates the state's proactive role in regulating private education, aligning with NEP 2020's focus on holistic learning and skill development over rank-driven pressure.
Criticism and Concerns:
- The Bill does not make psychological counselling mandatory, despite repeated concerns over student mental health.
- It omits strict age restrictions (the Centre's guidelines recommended no student under 16 be enrolled).
- The Bill establishes an officials-heavy regulatory structure, involving police, district magistrates, and bureaucrats.
- This might result in harassment or undue scrutiny, especially of small or medium-sized coaching centres.
- The regulatory burden could force many smaller coaching centres to shut down or move operations to other states.
- Kota and Sikar, the coaching hubs of Rajasthan, could face economic losses.
- It may negatively affect employment in regions where coaching is a major industry.
- The Bill lacks robust mechanisms to address rising student suicides.
- There is no clear accountability for coaching centres in case of student deaths.
Conclusion:
Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025, marks a significant step towards regulating the coaching industry and prioritizing student welfare. the bill's implementation could bring about positive changes in the state's education sector.
