Overview
- The School Education Department has uploaded the Maharashtra Private Coaching Classes (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2026 draft and is inviting suggestions and objections through September 4, with officials due to compile comments for the government by September 20.
- Under the draft, any coaching centre serving more than 25 students must register on a state portal, each branch must register separately, registration would run for three years, and existing centres would get six months to register once the law takes effect.
- The bill prescribes concrete safety and welfare measures including one square metre of space per student, separate toilets, drinking water, first-aid, one month of CCTV retention, fire and building safety certificates, a five-hour daily cap on coaching, a weekly day off and counselling services.
- The draft bans coaching operation from school premises, prohibits hiring teachers appointed in recognised schools and targets the ‘dummy-school’ model with possible derecognition of violating schools.
- Enforcement powers would let government-appointed Inquiry Officers inspect centres, summon records and order sanctions; penalties range from fines of ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh for minor breaches to ₹10 lakh–₹50 lakh for major violations plus suspension or cancellation of registration, and the law would mandate fee transparency and pro‑rata refunds within 10 days for mid-course exits.