The Assam government on Friday introduced the Assam Coaching Institutes (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025 in the state Assembly to enforce strict regulations on private coaching institutes, enhance transparency, and ensure student welfare.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu tabled the bill, emphasizing its role in maintaining quality education for aspirants of competitive exams.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
- Mandatory Registration: All existing and new coaching institutes must register before operating.
- Clear Definitions: Terms like “coaching institute,” “tutor,” and “registration” are explicitly defined.
- Application Details: Institutes must disclose curriculum, schedule, fees, infrastructure, and staff qualifications.
- Operational Norms: Adherence to safety standards, qualified staff requirements, and avoidance of false claims.
- Code of Conduct: Transparency in fees, student performance reporting, and mandatory mental health workshops.
- Inclusivity: Support for marginalized groups and disability-friendly infrastructure.
- Monitoring & Compliance: District authorities will conduct inspections, with penalties for violations.
- Appeals Mechanism: An appellate body will address registration and compliance disputes.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “The 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.”
Other Key Legislative Developments:
Additionally, the government tabled The Assam Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing:
- Mandatory security clearance for private university sponsoring bodies.
- Ban on religious conversion activities within institutions.
- Restrictions on new technical and medical courses without prior approval.
- Government inspection every three years to ensure compliance.
The minister also introduced eight amendment bills related to various universities, including Bongaigaon, Gurucharan, Jagannath Barooah, Nagaon, North Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Swahid Kanaklata Baruah, and Kokrajhar Universities. These amendments empower the state government to appoint the first Vice Chancellor of newly established universities, with subsequent appointments made by the Governor based on a committee’s recommendations.
Furthermore, following the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, three new private universities were proposed in the Assembly:
- Maa Kamakhya University (Darrang)
- Edtech Skill University (Tinsukia)
- Swami Vivekananda University (BTR)