The Delhi Government has ordered a comprehensive safety crackdown on coaching centres across the national capital, with Education Minister Ashish Sood directing multiple agencies to launch a massive inspection drive in major coaching hubs. The move follows a review meeting on Wednesday where Sood assessed safety standards, infrastructure conditions, and the regulatory framework governing coaching institutes in Delhi.
Review meeting and agency coordination
Senior officials from the Home Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Urban Development Department, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the Directorate of Higher Education attended the meeting. Sood expressed concern over infrastructural deficiencies and safety lapses, stressing that student safety remains the government's top priority.
"The safety and welfare of students is our top priority. Any negligence affecting student safety will not be tolerated. All coaching institutes must strictly comply with safety norms and guidelines issued by the government and the courts from time to time," Sood said.
Focus areas and immediate measures
The meeting focused on fire safety measures, regulatory shortcomings, student welfare concerns, and alleged unfair commercial practices by some institutes. As part of immediate enforcement, Sood directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), MCD, Delhi Fire Service, and DDMA to conduct special inspections in major coaching clusters, including Mukherjee Nagar, Rajender Nagar, and Katwaria Sarai.
Inspection teams will verify compliance with fire safety norms, building regulations, and other mandatory safety requirements. To ensure coordinated action, the MCD will provide inspection teams with details of 923 coaching centres that have been surveyed across Delhi.
Strict action against violators
The minister instructed all concerned departments, including Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police, to take strict action against institutions found violating safety standards or operating in contravention of regulations. The MCD has been directed to submit a daily Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Minister's Office on enforcement and compliance measures.
"The Delhi Government is fully committed to safeguarding the interests and future of students. No institution will be allowed to compromise with student safety. Those violating prescribed norms will face strict and decisive action," Sood added.
Regulatory framework in the pipeline
The Directorate of Higher Education is preparing a comprehensive regulatory framework for coaching institutes. The proposed policy aims to address systemic gaps, strengthen accountability, improve safety standards, and establish a transparent regulatory mechanism for coaching centres operating in Delhi. The draft framework is expected to be submitted to the government shortly.
The crackdown comes as the Delhi Government seeks to strengthen safety compliance and accountability across the rapidly expanding coaching institute sector, which caters to thousands of students preparing for competitive examinations every year.
