India moves to regulate coaching centers through new laws and court oversight

The Maharashtra government has proposed the Maharashtra Private Coaching Centers (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2026, to establish strict oversight for institutes catering to more than 25 students. The draft legislation includes a five-hour daily limit on classes and prohibits the admission of students under 13 years of age. Additionally, the act seeks to prevent misleading claims regarding academic results or guaranteed ranks and mandates that centers publish teacher qualifications, fees, and refund policies online.

Separately, the Supreme Court of India has expanded its oversight into unauthorized constructions and illegal land-use changes, specifically addressing the issue of coaching centers operating in residential zones. Following a case in Chennai, the Court has initiated a pan-India exercise, impleading municipal corporations of state capitals and Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to address the ‘alarming state of affairs’ involving collusion between municipal authorities and illegal developers.