In Rajasthan’s Rajasthan Assembly on Wednesday, heated debates took place as the lawmakers passed the Rajasthan Coaching Institute Control and Regulation Bill 2025. This new law aims to regulate coaching centers across the state, especially in Kota, India’s coaching hub for competitive exams.
The bill introduces rules to make coaching centers more accountable. For example, it states that registration of these institutes can be canceled if they engage in unfair fee collection. Coaches breaking the rules can also face fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa said the law is designed to protect students and ensure coaching centers behave responsibly.
One of the key highlights of the bill is that coaching institutes can no longer ask students to pay all fees in advance. If students choose to leave midway, their tuition and hostel fees must be refunded. For coaching centers with more than 100 students, registration will be mandatory, and these institutes will be monitored by district authorities with powers similar to a civil court.
Strict penalties are also part of the plan. First-time offenders will face a Rs 50,000 fine, while repeated violators could be fined Rs 2 lakh. In severe cases like arbitrary fee collection or repeated violations, the institute’s registration can be canceled, and their land or property may even be seized. The government plans to set up 24-hour helplines in every district to address student complaints. A special committee, chaired by the district Collector and including police, health officials, and education officers, will oversee coaching centers.
At the state level, a Rajasthan Coaching Centre Authority will be established under the Higher Education Secretary. This body will include representatives from various departments, coaching institutes, parents, and psychologists. Its goal is to monitor and regulate the coaching industry more effectively.
However, the bill faced strong criticism from opposition leaders and some lawmakers. Tika Ram Jully, the Opposition Leader, questioned why the law does not prevent coaching for children under 16. He also accused the government of lowering penalties to benefit the coaching industry rather than addressing serious issues like student suicides.
Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati claimed that fees are being exploited and pointed out that the bill lacks a strong mechanism to control fee hikes. He expressed concerns about the absence of public representatives in the oversight committees, fearing bureaucratic control could dominate the system.
Congress MLA Harish Choudhary criticized the bill, saying that while everyone praises Kota’s coaching industry, no one talks about the mental pressure on students that leads to tragic suicides. He emphasized that real reforms are needed to protect students’ well-being. Choudhary warned that the bill seems to favor influential adults and big coaching businesses worth thousands of crores, rather than genuinely helping students.
Senior Congress leader Shanti Dhariwal also expressed concerns, noting that the bill might increase bureaucracy without solving the core issues. He pointed out that the committees overseeing coaching centers are mostly controlled by government officers, reducing accountability. Dhariwal stressed that the bill does not clearly address the urgent problem of student suicides, which remains the primary reason behind efforts to regulate coaching centers.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government defended the bill, saying it would help regulate coaching centers, curb exploitation, and ensure justice for students. With Kota seen as the heart of India’s coaching industry and facing rising concerns over student mental health, this legislation marks an important step in Rajasthan’s efforts to balance education, regulation, and child safety.
This development is a significant part of Rajasthan’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by students in coaching hubs like Kota, especially amid concerns about student pressure and tragedies.
