The Delhi government is planning a comprehensive regulatory framework for coaching institutes, which will include guidelines on fee structure, student safety, mental health support, infrastructure standards, and staff welfare. Education and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from key regulatory and civic agencies on Thursday.
Nodal Officer Appointed
The government has designated the Director of Higher Education as the nodal officer for this initiative, Sood stated. A multidisciplinary committee will be formed to finalize the guidelines, which will also address counseling mechanisms for students, infrastructure standards, fire and emergency preparedness, and working conditions for teachers and other staff.
Stakeholder Consultation and Timeline
The department will consult all stakeholders, review the committee’s findings, and finalize the policy within three months, Sood added. The committee will also examine best practices and recommend measures to ensure consistent implementation of these standards across institutions.
Grievance Redressal and Compliance
A grievance redress mechanism for staff and students is also planned. The committee will aim for transparent reporting and timely resolution processes. Periodic inspections and compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure adherence to guidelines and promote accountability.
Background: The 2024 Old Rajendra Nagar Tragedy
The minister said the move follows the recommendations of the Justice R K Gauba committee, which was formed after the 2024 Old Rajendra Nagar coaching centre flooding tragedy. That incident killed several IAS aspirants and exposed serious structural and safety lapses by the coaching institute.
“Following the recommendations of the Justice Gauba committee, the framework will address key issues, such as mental health, fee structure, content and advertising practices,” Sood said.
Judicial Review and Recommendations
Officials noted that the 2024 tragedy prompted a detailed judicial and administrative review. To prevent a recurrence, the Delhi High Court formed a committee under retired Justice Gauba to assess vulnerabilities in Delhi’s coaching hubs and recommend corrective measures. The committee has submitted its report, identifying systemic gaps and suggesting stricter regulatory and oversight mechanisms.
Delhi’s Pioneering Role
Sood said the Delhi government is treating the issue of safety in coaching institutes with seriousness. He asserted that Delhi could become the first state or Union territory to establish a regulatory framework for coaching institutes in line with the high court’s directions.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting on Thursday was attended by senior officials from the MCD, Delhi Fire Services, the Directorate of Higher Education, Delhi Police, and the labour, health, and urban development departments, among others.
