TL;DR – A committee has recommended a blanket private coaching ban in Tamil Nadu, but nothing will change overnight. The proposal must first be published, opened for public comments, cleared by the Cabinet, and then enacted through legislation or rules. Expect a minimum timeline of 12-18 months—and plenty of debate—before any hard law bites.
1. Why are people suddenly talking about a private coaching ban?
On 10 June 2025, The Times of India splashed a front-page story on a 550-page report submitted by the Justice D. Murugesan committee that is drafting the State Education Policy (SEP). Among its 100-plus recommendations is an “outright ban on all private coaching and tuition centres that run parallel to schools and colleges.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The committee argues that:
| Reason cited in the report | What it means for families |
|---|---|
| Coaching centres are “unregulated and potentially harmful.” | No standard syllabus, teacher vetting or fire-safety norms |
| Risk of schools & colleges becoming “redundant.” | Students may skip regular classes if coaching rules the roost |
| Need for a regulatory body with teeth | A new watchdog would register, audit and—if the ban is watered down—license centres |
(Table compiled from the Murugesan report excerpts) timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Nearly 2 lakh students in Classes XI-XII now attend such centres for NEET, JEE, CAT and other exams, with some “integrated programmes” starting as early as Class VI. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
2. Wait—doesn’t the Centre already want stricter rules?
Yes. In January 2024, the Union Ministry of Education released Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Centres 2024. States were urged to frame their own laws to register institutes, fix fees, and limit class sizes. education.gov.in Tamil Nadu’s panel goes a step further: it proposes a ban, not mere regulation.
3. Has the Tamil Nadu government accepted the idea?
Short answer: not yet.
Although the Murugesan committee handed its report to Chief Minister M. K. Stalin in July 2024, the government has still not released a draft for public review. Educationists complain that the policy “remains in cold storage,” and officials hint that the SEP will be rolled out in phases after more consultations. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The road from recommendation to reality
| Step | Responsible authority | Status (June 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Committee finishes report | Murugesan panel | Done (July 2024) |
| 2. Government publishes draft SEP for feedback | School Education Dept. | Pending |
| 3. Public hearings & stakeholder comments | Parents, schools, coaching firms, NGOs | Pending |
| 4. Cabinet approval of final SEP | State Cabinet | Pending |
| 5. Legal instrument (Act / Rules / Govt Order) | Assembly or Department | Pending |
| 6. Regulator set up, rules notified | New statutory body | Future |
| 7. Grace period / transition | Government | Future |
Constitutionally, education is in the Concurrent List—Tamil Nadu can pass its own law, but any blanket private coaching ban will likely face court challenges from coaching chains citing the right to trade and profession (Article 19). Expect litigation.
4. What could the final policy look like?
Most experts believe an all-out ban may morph into a “regulate, don’t eradicate” model, similar to laws in Bihar, Goa or Uttar Pradesh that force institutes to:
- Register annually
- Adhere to safety & fee-cap norms
- Provide student counselling
- Face steep fines for false advertising education.gov.in
Tamil Nadu may:
- Phase the ban – start with Classes VI-VIII, then IX-XII.
- Allow exam-specific slots (e.g., post-Class XII crash courses).
- Introduce free government coaching (already promised for NEET) to level the field. dtnext.in
5. How does this affect my child now?
- Current admissions stay valid. No circular has asked schools or centres to shut.
- Refunds: Unless a law is notified, centres need not return fees. Read contracts.
- Board & entrance exams: NEET/JEE/CUET will continue; Tamil Nadu is separately lobbying to scrap NEET, but that is a different battle. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Prepare Plan B: Ask centres how they will comply if licensing norms (maximum batch size, qualified tutors, fire NOC) kick in.
6. FAQs parents are asking
“Should I pull my child out of coaching?”
Not unless the government issues an official order. Use the next few months to assess whether the centre:
- Has fire-safety clearance
- Offers counsellor access
- Provides transparent fee breakup
“Will online coaching be banned too?”
The committee uses the phrase “physical or virtual mode.” Expect the rules to cover Zoom-only classes as well, but enforcement is trickier.
“Can’t they just improve schools instead?”
That is part of the pitch: the SEP also calls for open-book exams, teacher-training reforms and a higher-education mission aimed at making schools & colleges self-sufficient, so students won’t need parallel tutoring. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
7. A parent’s action checklist
| Task | Ideal timeline | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Track official releases on tn.gov.in / School Education Dept. | Monthly | Draft SEP likely posted here first |
| Join PTA / parent forums | Ongoing | Collective feedback carries weight |
| Review coaching centre contract clauses on “Acts of State” | Within 30 days | Clarity on refunds if sudden closure |
| Explore free mock-test apps like National Test Abhyas | Anytime | Govt-endorsed, reduces reliance on paid tutoring |
| Bookmark Learncrew’s free resources | Today | Alternative study aid if rules tighten |
