Why has Maharashtra drafted a law to rein in coaching centres?
According to the draft bill document, the objective is to “provide a framework for the registration and regulation of private coaching classes, especially concerning the education imparted, the mental well-being of the students, and the facilities provided to them
Maharashtra has unveiled its draft law, the Maharashtra Private Coaching Centres (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026, aimed at curbing the operations of coaching centres in the state. The bill, released on August 22, 2026, focuses on addressing issues such as the integration of school coaching centres, basement operations, mandatory registration, fee regulations, safety standards, grievance redressal, and penalties for violations.
Critics, including the private coaching institute union, have labeled the bill as "oppressive" and "unrealistic." The bill defines a minimum of 25 students as the threshold for a private coaching class registration, excluding government schools and non-academic activities. Coaching centres must adhere to government-prescribed formalities, including registration, renewal, and qualification requirements for tutors.
The bill also mandates safety measures, including specific space and infrastructure requirements, to ensure student well-being.
In the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak in May, where nine out of thirteen people were arrested in Maharashtra, the state has taken proactive steps to regulate coaching centres. The draft bill also emphasizes the prohibition of batch segregation based on merit and access to counselors beyond mere engineering and medical preparation.
However, the bill has faced criticism from the private coaching institute union, alleging its impracticality and potential avenues for corruption within the government's educational system. The union emphasized that the fine imposed for minor violations is insufficient and questioned the bill's applicability to homemakers conducting classes in their homes.
With an online registration portal for mandatory registration within six months of the bill's enactment, the Maharashtra government aims to finalize the draft bill by September 4. The private coaching institute union has threatened to protest if the government fails to relax the stringent conditions in the draft bill.
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