Maharashtra moves to regulate coaching centres with new comprehensive bill

Maharashtra's government is advancing a Private Coaching Centres Bill, 2026 designed to bring the booming private tuition sector under regulatory oversight. The legislation introduces multiple safeguards targeting student welfare, with provisions that would prevent coaching institutes from enrolling children below 13 years of age and restrict direct institutional links between coaching centres and schools.

The proposed law sets out detailed requirements for fee structures and admissions procedures, seeking to prevent exploitative practices while ensuring transparency in how coaching centres operate. Safety standards are a key component, with the bill mandating compliance with specified health and security protocols across coaching facilities.

School-coaching tie-ups, long a point of contention in educational circles, would be prohibited under the new framework. The bill also aims to establish standards for student counselling and complaint redressal mechanisms, reflecting concerns about the psychological pressures students face in competitive exam preparation.

The regulations reflect a broader policy shift toward containing what officials view as excessive commercialisation in the coaching sector. While supporters argue the measures will protect vulnerable students from predatory practices, coaching centre operators have expressed concerns about compliance costs and operational flexibility. Parents and students await details on how the new framework will balance accessibility with accountability in the highly competitive coaching market that has become integral to academic preparation across Maharashtra.