The Assam government on Friday introduced the Assam Coaching Institutes (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025 in the state Assembly, aiming to bring transparency, accountability, and quality standards to private coaching institutes. The bill seeks to regulate the growing coaching sector, ensuring strict adherence to operational norms for the overall welfare of students.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu tabled the bill, stating that it would help in maintaining quality education for aspirants of competitive exams.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
- Mandatory Registration: All coaching institutes, both existing and new, must register within a stipulated time before commencing operations.
- Defined Terminology: The bill clearly defines terms such as “coaching institute,” “tutor,” and “registration” to avoid ambiguity.
- Application Requirements: Institutes must provide details regarding curriculum, schedule, fees, infrastructure, and staff qualifications.
- Operational Standards: Coaching centres must adhere to safety norms, ensure adequate student space, hire qualified staff, and refrain from making false claims.
- Code of Conduct: Institutes must maintain transparency in fees and student performance data, along with conducting mandatory mental health workshops and counselling sessions.
- Inclusivity Measures: Institutes must support marginalized groups and provide disability-friendly facilities.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: District Authorities will inspect and enforce compliance, with penalties for violations.
- Appeals Mechanism: A dedicated appellate body will handle disputes related to registration and compliance.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the significance of the bill, stating, “This bill will ensure strict adherence to rules, bring transparency in private coaching institutes, and help in the overall welfare of students.”
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu added, “The bill promotes accountability, safety, and inclusiveness in Assam’s coaching sector.”
Along with the Coaching Institutes Bill, the Assam government also introduced The Assam Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing new regulations for private universities, including:
- Mandatory security clearance for sponsoring bodies.
- Ban on religious conversion activities in private universities.
- Restrictions on launching new technical and medical courses without prior approval.
- Government inspections every three years to ensure compliance.
Additionally, eight amendment bills were introduced concerning Bongaigaon, Gurucharan, Jagannath Barooah, Nagaon, North Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Swahid Kanaklata Baruah, and Kokrajhar Universities, empowering the state government to appoint the first Vice Chancellor of newly established universities.
Further, following the Advantage Assam 2.0 MoU signing, the state government introduced bills for the establishment of three new private universities:
- Maa Kamakhya University (Darrang)
- Edtech Skill University (Tinsukia)
- Swami Vivekananda University (BTR)
With these legislative measures, Assam aims to strengthen the education sector, ensuring higher standards, transparency, and regulatory oversight in both private coaching and higher education institutions.