Private Coaching Classes in Maharashtra to Come Under Strict Legal Regulation

‘Dummy Schools’ to be banned; restrictions on admission of children below 13

Violations may attract fines of up to 50 lakh

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government has taken a stringent step to regulate the rapidly expanding private coaching industry, which has increasingly been operating parallel to schools and colleges. The School Education and Sports Department has published the draft of the ‘Maharashtra Private Coaching Classes (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2026’. The proposed legislation aims to bring coaching institutes under government regulation, prevent exploitation of students and ensure their mental well-being and safety.

Under the proposed law, all private coaching institutes having 25 or more students will be required to register online through a government portal. The registration will remain valid for three years. If an institute operates multiple branches, each branch will have to be registered separately. Existing coaching classes will be given six months to complete the registration process. To reduce academic pressure on children at a young age, admission of students below 13 years of age, or those at the pre-secondary level, to coaching classes will be completely prohibited.

A major provision of the proposed legislation seeks to put an end to the practice of ‘integrated coaching’ and ‘dummy schools’ allegedly operated in collaboration with schools and junior colleges. Coaching centres will not be permitted to operate on the premises of any school or college or enter into partnerships with them. If such violations are detected, action may be recommended to cancel the recognition of the concerned school or college. In addition, teachers employed by recognised schools and colleges will be prohibited from teaching at private coaching classes.

Keeping students’ mental and physical well-being in mind, the proposed law seeks to limit coaching hours to a maximum of five hours a day. Coaching institutes will also be required to provide at least one full day off every week. Moreover, no examination can be conducted on the day immediately following the weekly holiday, ensuring that students are not subjected to academic pressure even during their break.

For student safety, conducting coaching classes in basements will be prohibited. Institutes will also be required to comply with fire-safety norms, possess building safety certificates and preserve CCTV footage for a minimum of 30 days.

The draft also lays down eligibility criteria for teachers. A teacher working at a coaching centre must possess at least a graduate degree. A person facing charges in cognisable offences cannot be appointed as a teacher or employee of a coaching institute.

To curb arbitrary fee hikes, coaching institutes will not be allowed to increase fees unreasonably after a course has commenced. If a student cancels admission midway through a course, the institute will be required to refund the applicable fees for the remaining period, along with hostel and mess charges, within 10 days as per the prescribed rules. Advertisements making false or misleading claims about securing top ranks or marks will also be prohibited.

Strict penalties have been proposed against institutes violating the provisions of the law or operating without registration. Defaulters may face fines ranging from 10 lakh to 50 lakh, while their registration may be temporarily suspended or permanently cancelled.

The state government has invited objections and suggestions from parents, teachers and coaching institute operators on the draft until September 4, 2026. After considering the feedback, the government is expected to grant final approval and implement the legislation across Maharashtra.