Education
Rajasthan Cabinet Approves Bill to Regulate Coaching Centres Amid Rising Student Suicides
Jaipur, 9 March 2025: As a crucial step to address the challenges faced by students and curb rising suicides in coaching hubs, the Rajasthan Cabinet has approved the Rajasthan Coaching Centre Control and Regulation Bill 2025. The bill aims to regulate coaching institutes across the state, ensuring structured policies to safeguard student welfare and mental health. Additionally, the cabinet has given the nod to the Rajasthan Skill Policy 2025, focusing on upskilling youth, reskilling workers, and fostering entrepreneurship to enhance employment opportunities.
Tackling Student Suicides in Kota
The decision comes at a time when Rajasthan, particularly Kota—the country’s coaching capital—has witnessed an alarming surge in student suicides. Last year alone, 17 students died by suicide in the city, while in 2023, the number was 23. The most recent case involved 18-year-old NEET aspirant, Ankush Meena, who was found dead in his PG accommodation. His death, reportedly the seventh case in Kota this year, has reignited concerns about the intense pressure faced by students preparing for competitive exams.
Addressing the issue, parliamentary minister Jogaram Patel said, “Students sometimes commit suicide due to stress, which is unfortunate. We want them to study, compete, and succeed, but not at the cost of their mental health.” He added that the proposed bill will introduce strict regulations for coaching institutes, covering those with more than 50 students. Penalties and cancellation of registration will be enforced for institutions violating the new rules.
Rajasthan Skill Policy 2025: Addressing Employment Challenges
Alongside regulating coaching centres, the Rajasthan government has also introduced the Rajasthan Skill Policy 2025, a comprehensive strategy to bridge the skill gap among youth and create employment opportunities.
“There are around 20 lakh youth in Rajasthan who are employable but lack the right skills,” Patel said. “The government has committed to creating four lakh jobs in five years, and through the right skill programmes, we want young people to contribute to the state’s development.”
This initiative aims to equip students with industry-relevant skills, promote entrepreneurship, and ensure that graduates are job-ready, reducing dependency on competitive exams as the sole career pathway.
Urgent Need for Change in Student Welfare Policies
The rise in student suicides in Kota and across India highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in the education sector. While coaching centres play a vital role in helping students prepare for competitive exams, the immense academic pressure, isolation, and lack of emotional support are pushing many to breaking point.
The new regulation in Rajasthan is a step towards accountability—ensuring that coaching institutes prioritise student well-being alongside academic success. However, mental health awareness, counselling services, and alternative career pathways must also be actively promoted to change the toxic culture of extreme academic pressure.
With India striving for educational excellence, the nation must not overlook the mental and emotional well-being of its students. The Rajasthan Coaching Centre Control and Regulation Bill is a welcome move, but its implementation and enforcement will determine its true impact in preventing further tragedies.
