Entrance exams to rely less on coaching? Draft panel proposes law to regulate sector
The Indian government is considering new regulations to address concerns about excessive reliance on coaching centers for entrance exams like JEE, NEET-UG, and CUET-UG. A nine-member committee, led by higher education secretary Vineet Joshi, has identified systemic issues such as student stress, suicide rates, dummy schools, and unsafe private institutions. The committee argues that reducing dependence on coaching requires changes to entrance exams, stronger educational institutions, and stricter oversight of coaching centers. Proposed reforms include mandating transparency in coaching claims, limiting daily coaching hours, and implementing real-time attendance systems to combat dummy schooling. The final report, expected soon, could lead to a national law regulating the coaching sector.
A new proposal is emerging in India aimed at reducing the overwhelming influence of private coaching centers on entrance examinations such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG), and Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate (CUET-UG). This initiative comes amid growing concerns about the mental health of students, rising instances of suicide among those preparing for these exams, and the proliferation of "dummy schools" designed solely to help students meet eligibility criteria for competitive exams.
The proposal stems from a nine-member committee established by the Indian Ministry of Education in June 2025. Led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, the committee was tasked with investigating the extent to which students depend on coaching institutions, the spread of dummy schools, and the fairness of high-stakes entrance tests. After thorough analysis, the committee identified multiple factors contributing to the current situation, including the structure of entrance exams, lack of trust in school grades, the existence of dummy schooling, and the early start of exam preparations. These issues have been compounded by the commercial practices of coaching centers, which often prioritize profit over educational integrity.
According to insiders, the committee's draft report, currently being finalized, outlines several significant recommendations intended to regulate the coaching sector and diminish its critical role in determining success in major entrance exams. The proposed measures include the creation of a comprehensive legal framework for regulating coaching centers, ensuring uniform standards of transparency, accountability, and student protection. A key recommendation involves mandating full disclosure of faculty qualifications and verified data on student enrollment versus success rates. Additionally, there are proposals to curb misleading advertising by coaching institutes, particularly those that claim high rankings or selection rates without clarifying whether the students were enrolled for long-term classes, participated in test series, received scholarships, or were only affiliated after achieving results.
The draft also addresses the issue of excessive study hours for students who are still attending regular schools. It suggests implementing a cap on daily coaching hours, proposing a limit of two to three hours per day. Furthermore, the report recommends exploring whether intensive coaching should be restricted to students who have completed their Class XII exams, aiming to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries between schools and coaching centers. To combat the phenomenon of dummy schooling—where students attend schools solely to fulfill eligibility requirements—the report advocates for real-time biometric attendance systems. These measures are intended to ensure that students are genuinely receiving education rather than merely fulfilling procedural prerequisites.
The proposed changes to entrance exams aim to align them more closely with classroom learning, thereby reducing the reliance on external coaching. This would involve designing exams that assess a broader range of skills and knowledge acquired during regular schooling, rather than focusing narrowly on specific topics that are commonly emphasized in coaching programs. Such reforms could potentially level the playing field for students who do not have access to expensive coaching facilities.
As the final report nears completion, it is anticipated that the government will soon review the recommendations and consider implementing the suggested regulations. If adopted, these measures could significantly alter the landscape of competitive entrance exams in India, promoting a more equitable and sustainable approach to education. The ultimate goal appears to be creating an environment where students can succeed based on their genuine academic abilities rather than their ability to afford and access coaching services.
2 reports
Times of IndiaIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 824 days ago
The Indian government is considering new regulations to address concerns about excessive reliance on coaching centers for entrance exams like JEE, NEET-UG, and CUET-UG. A nine-member committee, led by higher education secretary Vineet Joshi, has identified systemic issues such as student stress, suicide rates, dummy schools, and unsafe private institutions. The committee argues that reducing dependence on coaching requires changes to entrance exams, stronger educational institutions, and stricter oversight of coaching centers. Proposed reforms include mandating transparency in coaching claims, limiting daily coaching hours, and implementing real-time attendance systems to combat dummy schooling. The final report, expected soon, could lead to a national law regulating the coaching sector.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the committee's findings and recommendations without overtly favoring any political ideology. While the issue of coaching regulation is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, focusing on systemic problems rather than partisan agendas. The tone
Why these scores (Factual 88 · Objective 82): Factuality is strong with accurate reporting on the committee's findings and proposed regulations. Objectivity remains high, though there is a slight lean toward highlighting concerns about coaching centers and student stress, which is reasonable given the context.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 802 days ago
The article discusses proposed reforms to India's entrance exams, including granting up to 50% weightage to school board results in admissions, aligning entrance tests with school curricula, and introducing multiple attempts and computer-based testing. These changes aim to reduce the 'high-stakes' nature of single-exam systems, improve exam integrity, and decrease reliance on coaching centers. The reforms are part of broader educational restructuring efforts, with recommendations from a Ministry of Education committee established in 2025. The proposals include making NCERT the central authority for syllabus alignment and transitioning toward adaptive, on-demand computer-based tests while maintaining subject-specific evaluations for STEM fields.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the proposed reforms as a balanced initiative aimed at addressing systemic issues in education without overtly favoring either political ideology. While the reforms are framed as necessary structural changes, there is no clear ideological leaning in the presentation of the issue
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): Factuality is high as the article accurately reports on proposed educational reforms, citing the PMO's involvement and the committee's recommendations. Objectivity is good but slightly lower due to some emphasis on the significance of the reforms without balancing with potential criticisms.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
India
