The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework for private coaching centres across the state. The new rules mandate registration for institutes with 50 or more students and place a strong emphasis on student mental health and safety.

The decision, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after a cabinet meeting in Guwahati, addresses growing concerns over academic pressure, student suicides, and the overall well-being of young people in the state. The regulations aim to foster a safer, more inclusive, and mentally supportive environment within the rapidly expanding coaching sector.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that the Assam Cabinet had given its nod to the Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026. This significant policy move came during a cabinet meeting held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati.

Under the newly approved framework, all private coaching institutes with an enrolment of 50 or more students will be required to register mandatorily with the concerned district commissioner. The rules extend beyond mere registration, encompassing guidelines for the physical safety, mental well-being, and overall academic environment provided to students.

The cabinet also approved the constitution of a dedicated Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department and the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, as part of a broader push for youth welfare, student safety, and child protection.

Why it matters

The introduction of these rules is a crucial step towards regulating Assam’s burgeoning private coaching industry, which has largely operated without a formal oversight mechanism. Chief Minister Sarma underscored the government’s intent to integrate mental health support directly into the coaching system, moving beyond a sole focus on academic performance.

The regulations are designed to mitigate the intense academic pressure and frustration often faced by students, particularly around competitive examination periods, which have been linked to mental health challenges and, in some cases, suicides. By mandating mental health safeguards and a supportive environment, the government seeks to prevent students from reaching crisis points.

The framework also aims to ensure accountability among coaching institutes for creating safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces, rather than limiting their responsibility to just academic instruction. This is expected to promote a more humane and responsible coaching environment across Assam.

Background

The state’s decision to regulate coaching institutes comes against a backdrop of increasing concerns over student mental health and safety. Assam has recorded a troubling pattern of suicides among minors, with reports indicating that over 1,400 girls were among the more than 2,400 minor deaths recorded since 2021.

The unregulated growth of private coaching centres, coupled with complaints regarding student suicides, fire incidents, inadequate facilities, and questionable teaching methodologies, prompted the government to act. Earlier in August 2025, the Ministry of Education had chaired an online meeting with state and union territory officials to discuss the registration and regulation of private coaching centres, student protection norms, grievance redressal mechanisms, and policies for student mental health.

Furthermore, in January 2026, the Maharashtra School Education Department issued comprehensive guidelines for schools and private coaching centres to alleviate academic pressure and safeguard student mental health, following directions from the Supreme Court. These national and state-level discussions and initiatives highlight a growing recognition of the need for regulatory oversight in the coaching sector across India.

Key details

The Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026, outline several key provisions:

  • Mandatory Registration: Coaching institutes with 50 or more students must register with the district commissioner. This registration will be valid for two years.
  • Mental Health Support: Institutes with 100 or more students are required to appoint a full-time qualified counsellor. Smaller centres must establish an appropriate referral mechanism for students needing professional support.
  • Staff Training: All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo biannual training by certified mental health professionals on psychological first aid, self-harm warning signs, response, and referral mechanisms.
  • Prohibited Practices: The rules explicitly prohibit public humiliation, segregation of students based on performance, and the imposition of unrealistic academic pressure. Coaching centres cannot make misleading promises or guarantee ranks or good marks to parents.
  • Student Age Restrictions: Coaching institutes are prohibited from enrolling students below 16 years of age or before they have appeared for their secondary school examination.
  • Qualified Tutors: No coaching centre shall engage tutors with qualifications less than a graduation degree.
  • Inclusivity: Institutes must provide sensitive and non-discriminatory environments for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and those affected by trauma, bereavement, or previous suicide attempts. Special care is also mandated for comparatively weaker students.
  • Safety Standards: Mandatory safety standards will apply to coaching buildings and hostels, including guidelines on construction and design.
  • Grievance Redressal: Mechanisms for grievance redressal will be established to handle complaints related to ragging, harassment, mental abuse, and neglect of students’ mental well-being.
  • Transparency: Coaching centres must maintain transparency in fee disclosures and clearly report student outcomes.
  • Enforcement and Penalties: District authorities will be responsible for monitoring compliance through regular inspections. Violations will attract a penalty of ₹1 lakh for the first offence, with repeated violations leading to the cancellation of registration.

Reactions

“Along with physics, chemistry and biology, we want mental health to be integrated into coaching,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, stressing that students must be prepared to cope with both success and failure.

“The government’s objective is to create an environment where students receive support before they reach a point of crisis,” Sarma added, highlighting the proactive approach of the new rules.

Sarma further stated that mental health professionals should interact with students before results are declared to help them understand that poor performance in one examination does not determine their future.

What’s next

The Assam Private Coaching Institutes (Control and Student Mental Health Safeguard) Rules, 2026, are expected to come into effect shortly. District authorities will establish monitoring mechanisms and commence regular inspections to ensure compliance. Coaching institutes will need to initiate the registration process with the district commissioner and implement the mandated mental health and safety provisions. The government anticipates that these regulations will lead to a significant improvement in the overall well-being and academic environment for students attending private coaching centres across Assam.

Sources & References

Source: PratidinTime News Desk report on Assam Cabinet decisions, August 18, 2026