In a major move aimed at reducing academic stress among students and cracking down on misleading practices, the Maharashtra government has published the draft of the Maharashtra Private Coaching Centers (Registration and Regulation) Act. The proposed legislation targets private coaching institutes catering to more than 25 students and introduces some of the strictest operational guidelines in the country.
Key Provisions of the Draft Law
- Age Limit: Coaching institutes are barred from enrolling students under the age of 13.
- No Misleading Promises: Advertisements containing guaranteed ranks, top marks, or assured selection in competitive exams are strictly banned.
- Class Duration: Daily teaching hours are capped at a maximum of 5 hours per day. Classes cannot be scheduled excessively early in the morning or late at night.
- Mandatory Offs: Both students and tutors must receive a mandatory weekly day off. Furthermore, conducting tests on the day immediately following a weekly off is prohibited.
- Fee Regulations: Fees cannot be hiked mid-course, and mandatory fee receipts must be provided. If a student drops out midway, institutes must provide a pro-rata refund for the uncompleted duration within 10 days, including applicable hostel and mess charges.
- Ban on Batch Segregation: Sorting or segregating students into separate batches based on marks or academic performance is banned to protect student mental health.
- No Dummy Schools or Basement Operations: Integrated “dummy school” setups and operating coaching classes from basements are explicitly prohibited.
Impact and Penalties
The proposed framework also mandates mental health support, mandatory fire safety compliance, and CCTV installation on premises. Institutes failing to comply face heavy monetary penalties ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹50 lakh depending on the severity of the violation, along with the risk of cancellation of registration or closure.
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