Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025, was enacted to control the fast growing business of coaching and to curb the increasing suicides among students, particularly in Kota and Sikar. The Bill requires registration, minimum infrastructure, qualified tutors, counselling facilities and maximum limits of teaching hours. It aims at limiting the commercialization but maintains transparency in charges and guarantees of results. The Bill has significant socio-economic repercussions since it has more than 50 lakh students and an industry of over Rs 60,000 crore. But critics claim it is watered down, does not require compulsory counselling and could shield institutes rather than students.
Key Points in Detail
Context and Background
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Following 88 student suicides in 4 years (70 in Kota, 14 in Sikar).
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Since 2015, Rajasthan High Court has advocated reforms following the increasing cases of suicides.
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In parliamentary Standing Committee (2025), inadequacy of a national framework was flagged and suicides and mental health struggles were reported in coaching centres.
Provisions of the Bill
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Introduction of Rajasthan Coaching Centres Regulation Authority in the state and in the districts.
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Within 3 months of enactment, mandatory registration.
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Rules: no less than 1 sq. metre per student, no one graduates as tutor, prohibition of deceptive assurances.
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Student protection: not more than 5-hour daily instruction, weekly holidays, counselling and grievance redressal committees.
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Fine: 50000 (first time), 2 lakh (second time), cancellation (third time, etc.).
Economic Significance
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Enrolment 50 lakh students, industry 60,000 crore.
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Direct and indirect livelihood to 10 lakh people.
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Contributes almost 30-35 percent of the economy of Sikar; Kota called the coaching capital of India.
Criticism
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Non-conformance to Union Education Ministry requirements (e.g. no enrolment below 16 years disregarded).
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The provision of counselling not obligatory even though the suicides issue is the priority.
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The risks of inspector raj, pressure at the expense of excessive officiality.
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Smaller institutes risk going out of business thereby giving way to monopoly of large coaching brands.
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Opposition asserts that the Bill safeguards the coaching centres and not the students.
Government’s Defence
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CM and Higher Education Minister defended it on the basis of balance and justice.
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Bill sought to control but not to overwork the coaching institutes.
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Small players were safeguarded by Select Committee, which provided fewer penalties and provisions which applied to centres of 100 students and above.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Coaching Centres Bill, 2025, is the first serious effort to control a highly stakes and yet poorly monitored industry in India. It shows an attempt of the state to consider the well-being of students and the economic significance of coaching centers. Nevertheless, the absence of compulsory counselling, watered down penalties, and intimidation of bureaucratic authority viability create doubts on its potential of reducing suicides and exploitation. In the case of UPSC, the Bill points out the government regulatory problem of controlling privatized education, accountability and protection of youth welfare and the maintenance of a large-scale industry.
