In the wake of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the Maharashtra government has introduced a stringent draft bill to regulate the coaching industry, targeting 'dummy schools' and basement classes.
- Explicit ban on 'integrated coaching' and the 'dummy school' model.
- Mandatory registration for any coaching center with more than 25 students.
- Prohibition of coaching classes operating from basements.
- Strict penalties including fines up to ₹50 lakh for major violations.
Following the intense scrutiny brought about by the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the Maharashtra government has taken a decisive step toward regulating the coaching industry. The state has released a draft of the 'Maharashtra Private Coaching Centers (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026', aiming to bring order to a sector that has faced immense criticism.
The draft bill is designed to dismantle the controversial 'integrated coaching' or 'dummy school' model, where students are nominally enrolled in schools but spend their primary academic hours at coaching institutes. Under the proposed law, schools found actively participating in such arrangements could face derecognition. Furthermore, the bill prohibits coaching classes from operating out of basements, a move aimed at enhancing student safety.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this legislation marks a paradigm shift in how states approach the coaching phenomenon. By setting the lowest threshold for regulation—applying to any center with more than 25 students—Maharashtra is casting a wider net than Rajasthan, Assam, or Haryana. This ensures that even smaller, neighborhood coaching hubs are held to high standards of accountability and safety.
The proposed bill is not just a regulatory framework; it is a structural overhaul intended to prioritize student welfare over commercial profits.
The bill also introduces unprecedented employee vetting. Coaching centers will be barred from hiring any individual against whom a cognizable offence has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This is a significant escalation compared to other states that only bar those convicted of moral turpitude.
Comparative Analysis of Coaching Laws
| Feature | Maharashtra (Draft) | Rajasthan | Assam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Threshold | 25+ | 100+ | 50+ |
| Basement Classes | Prohibited | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Max Penalty | Up to ₹50 Lakh | Lower | ₹1 Lakh (Flat) |
Student well-being is at the core of this draft. The bill mandates a weekly off for both students and tutors and prohibits testing on the day immediately following the weekly off. To prevent burnout, teaching hours are proposed to be capped at five hours per day. Additionally, centers must provide aptitude testing and counseling services.
Financial transparency is another pillar of the bill. Coaching centers must publish their fees, tutor qualifications, and refund policies on their websites. They are also prohibited from increasing fees mid-course and must refund unused portions of fees, including hostel charges, within 10 days of a student leaving.
The penalties proposed are among the steepest in India. While minor violations may attract fines between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh, major violations—such as operating without registration or false advertising—could result in fines as high as ₹50 lakh, along with potential closure or deregistration of the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the Maharashtra law differ from Rajasthan's law?
Maharashtra's law is much broader, covering centers with as few as 25 students, whereas Rajasthan's law only applies to centers with more than 100 students.
2. What happens if a school is involved in the 'dummy school' model?
The state government will be recommended to derecognize the school if it is found to be actively involved in such integrated arrangements.
