The Assam cabinet on Tuesday approved the Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework for private coaching centres across the state. The new rules mandate registration for institutes with over 50 students, require dedicated counsellors, and prohibit practices detrimental to student mental well-being.
The decision, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to prioritise student safety and mental health amidst growing concerns over academic pressure and intense competition in the private coaching sector. The framework seeks to establish minimum standards for these institutes, ensuring a more supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment for students.
What was announced
The Assam cabinet, in a meeting held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, gave its nod to the enactment of the Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma briefed the media in Guwahati following the cabinet meeting, highlighting the government’s focus on youth welfare and student protection.
Under the newly approved rules, any private coaching institute enrolling 50 or more students will be required to obtain mandatory registration. The District Commissioner of the respective district will serve as the competent authority responsible for implementing and overseeing this registration process. Registered institutes will also be obligated to renew their registration annually and furnish infrastructure safety certificates to demonstrate compliance with prescribed safety standards.
A cornerstone of these regulations is the emphasis on student mental health. Coaching centres must comply with prescribed student mental health safeguards and provide proof of engaging a qualified counsellor or clinical psychologist on their premises. Furthermore, the rules mandate adherence to infrastructure requirements under the National Building Code (NBC), as well as applicable norms laid down by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The rules also specifically prohibit certain practices deemed harmful to student mental health, such as dividing student batches based solely on marks or grades, and any form of public shaming or humiliation related to a student’s academic performance or rank. Institutes are also required to ensure a sensitive and non-discriminatory environment for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) communities, as well as students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and those affected by trauma, bereavement, or previous suicide attempts.
Why it matters
The new rules represent a significant policy shift aimed at curbing the unchecked growth and potential negative impacts of the private coaching industry. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma articulated the philosophy behind the regulations as “Children first, before ranks,” underscoring that the state’s priority is the child’s overall well-being, not merely their academic scores. The move addresses a critical public health concern, as India has witnessed a worrying surge in student suicides over the past decade.
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), student suicides in India increased by a staggering 65 percent between 2013 and 2023, rising from 8,423 to 13,892 deaths. This increase has outpaced the overall rise in suicide deaths in the country, highlighting the disproportionate vulnerability of young people to academic stress and other pressures. In 2023, students accounted for 8.1 percent of all suicide deaths, a notable increase from 6.2 percent in 2013.
The regulations are designed to mitigate the intense psychological pressure faced by students, particularly those preparing for highly competitive examinations. By mandating qualified counsellors, the government seeks to integrate mental health support directly into the coaching ecosystem. Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that mental health professionals would be required to interact with students, especially before examination results are declared, to help them cope with potential disappointment and understand that a poor result does not define their future.
The framework also aims to ensure physical safety within coaching facilities, with requirements for infrastructure safety certificates and compliance with building codes. This holistic approach seeks to create a safer, more accountable, and supportive learning environment, moving beyond a sole focus on academic instruction to encompass the psychological and physical well-being of students.
Background
The proliferation of private coaching centres has created a parallel, often hyper-commercialised, educational ecosystem across India, frequently referred to as “coaching culture.” This industry, estimated to be worth billions of dollars, has largely operated with minimal regulation, leading to concerns about exploitative practices, misleading advertisements, and a pervasive mental health crisis among students.
The intense competition for admission to higher education institutions and government jobs has fueled the demand for coaching, with studies indicating that up to 95 percent of secondary school-going children in some states attend private coaching classes. This reliance on supplementary training has often come at the cost of student well-being, with academic pressure, parental expectations, and fear of failure contributing to significant psychological distress.
In recent years, both central and state governments have attempted to address the challenges posed by the unregulated coaching sector. The Union Ministry of Education and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) introduced guidelines in 2024 aimed at curbing the industry’s influence and ensuring consumer protection. However, on-ground implementation of such regulations has often been erratic. States like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar have had their own legislations for several years, though their effectiveness has varied.
The Assam government’s decision comes amid a national discourse on the need for stronger institutional safeguards for students. The Chief Minister noted that the decision was prompted by concerns over students facing extreme distress, including cases of suicide, due to intense academic pressure and the fear of not securing expected results. Assam has recorded over 2,400 minor deaths since 2021, including more than 1,400 girls, further amplifying the urgency for such measures.
Key details
The Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026, outline several specific requirements for coaching centres operating in the state:
- Mandatory Registration: All private coaching institutes with 50 or more students must register with the District Commissioner.
- Annual Renewal: Registered institutes are required to renew their registration every year.
- Infrastructure Safety: Institutes must submit infrastructure safety certificates annually, ensuring premises meet prescribed safety standards and comply with the National Building Code (NBC).
- Mental Health Professionals: Proof of engagement of a qualified counsellor, psychologist, or clinical psychologist is mandatory to address students’ mental health and well-being needs.
- Prohibited Practices: The rules ban the division of student batches based on marks or grades and prohibit public shaming or humiliation related to academic performance.
- Inclusive Environment: Institutes must ensure sensitive and non-discriminatory environments for students from SC, ST, OBC, EWS communities, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and those affected by trauma or previous suicide attempts.
- Pre-Result Counselling: Mental health professionals are required to interact with students before examination results are declared to help them cope with academic anxiety and disappointment.
- Compliance with Educational Norms: Coaching institutes must adhere to applicable norms laid down by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Penalties: Any institution found in violation of these regulations will face a fine of one lakh rupees and strict administrative action.
What’s next
The Assam government is expected to move swiftly towards the implementation of these new rules. The District Commissioners across the state will play a pivotal role as the competent authorities for overseeing the registration and compliance processes. Coaching institutes currently operating in Assam will need to familiarise themselves with the detailed provisions of the rules and initiate steps for mandatory registration and adherence to the new safeguards. The government aims to ensure strict oversight and accountability in the private coaching sector to safeguard student welfare effectively.