Maharashtra proposes law to regulate coaching centres, cap class hours, seeks objections till September 4

The Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department has proposed the Maharashtra private coaching (registration and regulation) Act, 2206, to regulate private coaching centres, with a focus on education, student mental wellbeing, infrastructure and grievance redressal.

The draft Act proposes mandatory registration for all private coaching centres. Existing centres would have to register within six months of the Act coming into force. Each branch would be treated as a separate coaching centre, while registration would remain valid for three years. Applications for registration and renewal would be submitted through an online portal.

The department has invited written suggestions and objections on the draft. Only submissions received by 6 pm on September 4, 2026 will be considered before the draft is finalised.

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Coaching centres face new registration rules

The draft bars centres from employing tutors with qualifications below graduation and from making misleading promises or guarantees about ranks or marks. It also prohibits misleading advertisements and enrolment of students below 13 years. Centres must publish details of tutors, courses, fees, facilities and refund policies on their websites.

The proposal also restricts coaching centres from operating on recognised school or college premises or employing teachers already working in recognised schools or junior colleges.

Maharashtra draft caps coaching hours

Under the proposed rules, coaching classes should not exceed five hours a day. Centres would have to provide weekly offs for students and tutors and organise counselling covering life skills, fitness, wellness and mental wellbeing.

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Coaching classes should also not be conducted in the morning or too late in the evening. Each student must be provided at least one square metre of space in the classroom or batch.

The draft also proposes aptitude tests and information on alternative career options. It states that students and parents must be informed that joining a coaching centre does not guarantee success in competitive examinations or admission to professional institutions.

Fee refunds and safety norms proposed

Coaching centres would have to issue fee receipts and could not increase declared course fees during the course. Students leaving midway would be entitled to a pro-rata refund within 10 days.

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The draft also prohibits centres from operating in basements and requires fire safety certificates, first-aid facilities. CCTV cameras and safe drinking water. Violations could attract fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, along with suspension, cancellation of registration or closure.