MoE unveils stricter guidelines for coaching centers in 2024

The Ministry of Education in India has recently issued updated guidelines, titled ‘Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Center 2024,’ accessible on the official website education.gov.in. These guidelines aim to establish standards for overseeing coaching centers, fostering improved supervision and support for study programs, competitive exams, and academic pursuits, according to the official statement.

Key points from the guidelines include defining a ‘coaching center’ as a facility operated by an individual offering coaching for study programmes, competitive tests, or academic support to students at the school, college, or university level, with a capacity of over 50 students. The criteria cover regulations on fees, study hours, penalties, and minimum area requirements for such facilities.

To ensure compliance, coaching centers must register with the local competent authority, following specified forms, fees, and document requirements as mandated by the government. Notably, if a coaching center has multiple branches, each branch is treated as a distinct entity, necessitating separate registration applications for each.

The guidelines further stipulate that coaching centers cannot enroll students below 16 years of age or engage tutors with qualifications below graduation. Enrollment is limited to students above the age of 16, with admission granted only after successfully completing secondary school examinations.

A complaint mechanism should be established for students, parents, or tutors/employees to file complaints against coaching centers, with coaching centers also able to file complaints against students or parents. The competent authority or a government-established inquiry committee will resolve these complaints within thirty days.

For mid-course withdrawals, coaching centers must provide a pro-rata refund within 10 days. Any fee increases during the course, including both course fees and hostel-related charges, are strictly prohibited.