Coaching Center 2024 Regulatory Guidelines
The Ministry of Education in India has released comprehensive guidelines aimed at regulating coaching centers. s per the newly introduced directives, coaching institutes must now undergo registration, refrain from enrolling students below the age of 16, avoid imposing exorbitant fees, and offer psychological and mental health support to students. In addition, these centers are required to adhere to fire safety and building safety norms.
The guidelines, formulated on January 15 under the title “Coaching Center 2024,” have been dispatched to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories for prompt implementation. While some states already possess national-level laws governing coaching institutes, the proliferation of unregulated private coaching centers charging exorbitant fees has raised concerns. This has been identified as a significant factor contributing to undue pressure on students, leading to tragic instances of suicide.
The issue attained national attention in November 2023 when a distressed parent, Aniruddha Narayan Malpani, approached the Supreme Court seeking guidelines and regulations to address the alarming rate of suicides in Kota, Rajasthan. In 2023, Kota recorded 26 suicide deaths, marking the highest number since 2015.
The official notice stresses the need for coaching centers to prioritize students’ mental well-being, urging them to conduct classes without placing undue pressure. Additionally, it calls for the establishment of mechanisms for immediate intervention to provide targeted and sustained assistance to students in distress.
Important conditions for the registration of coaching centers include mandatory registration for those imparting coaching or establishing, running, managing, or maintaining a coaching center. Existing coaching centers are supposed to apply for registration within 3 months of the guidelines’ implementation. The application process involves submission to the competent authority, with each branch of a coaching center treated as a separate entity.
Additionally , the guidelines directs that the competent authority must grant or refuse registration within 3 months of receiving the application. The registration certificate’s validity period will be determined by the appropriate government, with coaching centers required to apply for renewal two months before expiry.
On fee structures, the guidelines mandate that tuition fees for different courses be fair and reasonable. Coaching centers must issue a prospectus detailing the fee structure, the number of classes, and other relevant details. If a student withdraws from a course before completion, the guidelines ensure a pro-rata refund of fees paid, including hostel fees and mess fees if applicable, within 10 days.