Coaching Classes in Maharashtra May Shut on September 11 Over Proposed Regulation Law

Pune, 8th September 2026: The Professional Teachers Association of Maharashtra (PTAM) on Tuesday urged the Maharashtra Government to consult representatives of coaching classes and other stakeholders before finalising the proposed Maharashtra Private Coaching Centres Registration and Regulation Act.

PTAM said the proposed legislation should be reconsidered, particularly provisions relating to the registration threshold, restrictions on coaching for children below 13 years, fee refunds and inspection powers. The association also cited an order of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Bench of the Bombay High Court, which, according to PTAM, directed the State Government to consult its representatives and hear the petitioners before enacting the legislation.

The association made the demands at a press conference held in Pune. PTAM President Dr Prashant Kulkarni said the organisation supported regulation of the coaching sector but opposed provisions that it considers unreasonable or likely to create an excessive compliance burden and scope for arbitrary administrative action.

“We are not opposed to regulation; we are opposed to unreasonable, unequal and one-sided regulation,” Kulkarni said.

PTAM said coaching institutions provide academic support through remedial education, advanced learning, examination preparation and specialised instruction, and contribute to employment and self-employment opportunities for teachers and young professionals.
The association claims to have more than 50,000 members across around 27 districts of Maharashtra.

PTAM seeks higher registration threshold

One of the association’s key demands is that the proposed registration threshold of 25 students per coaching centre branch be increased to more than 100 students.

According to PTAM, a higher threshold would prevent home tutors and very small coaching centres from being subjected to a regulatory framework intended for larger institutions.
The association has also opposed the proposed blanket restriction on coaching for children below 13 years. It argued that such a provision could affect age-appropriate remedial education, foundational learning and preparation for Olympiads and scholarship examinations.

Fee refunds, inspections

PTAM has demanded that proposed fee-refund provisions take into account costs already incurred by coaching institutions, including academic material, digital platforms, administration, taxes, teacher-related financial commitments and infrastructure.

The association also opposed what it described as the possibility of an “Inspector Raj” and “Licence Raj” under the proposed law.

It has sought clearly defined inspection criteria, written reasons for administrative action, prior notice except in emergencies, an opportunity for institutions to present their case, graded penalties based on the seriousness of violations and a transparent appellate mechanism.

Self-regulatory council proposed

As an alternative, PTAM has proposed the formation of a Coaching Classes Self-Regulatory Council comprising representatives of the Government and Education Department, coaching-class associations, legal experts, local self-government bodies, fire-safety authorities, digital-education specialists, mental-health professionals, parents and students.

PTAM proposed that, except in serious or urgent cases, the council should conduct preliminary scrutiny of complaints, hear the concerned coaching institution and, wherever possible, facilitate mediation or corrective measures before formal government proceedings are initiated.

PTAM cites Bombay High Court order

During the press conference, PTAM representatives also discussed Writ Petition No. 3447 of 2025, filed before the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Bench of the Bombay High Court in April 2025 by Vijayrao Pawar, Hanumantrao Bhosale and Prashant Kulkarni on behalf of the association.

PTAM said that while disposing of the petition, the High Court directed the Maharashtra Government to consult its representatives and hear the petitioners before enacting the proposed legislation. The association said the court had also directed the government to communicate its reasons to the petitioners if it decided not to hear them.

PTAM Secretary Dr Nitin Kadam, former president Vijay Pawar, former secretary Hanumant Bhosale, Working President Prahlad Daund and Pune Core Committee Member Durgesh Mangeshkar were present at the press conference.

The association said it is preparing a clause-by-clause document outlining its objections to the proposed legislation and recommended amendments. It is also preparing a white paper on the educational, social and economic contribution of the coaching sector.

One-day shutdown warning

PTAM warned that coaching classes across Maharashtra would observe a one-day shutdown on September 11, 2026, if its demands for consultation continue to be ignored.

The association said the proposed shutdown would not be directed against students, parents, schools or colleges and would be a peaceful expression of opposition to the proposed regulatory framework.

PTAM has urged the State Government to temporarily halt the process of finalising the draft, formally invite the association for consultations and consider its proposed amendments and model legislative draft.

The association’s stated position is that the government should consult stakeholders, reconsider the proposed provisions and frame a balanced regulatory framework for private coaching institutions.