Rajasthan Minister Announces Upcoming Bill to Regulate Coaching Centres
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Synopsis
Rajasthan's Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Khinvsar has revealed plans to introduce a bill aimed at regulating coaching centres, focusing on student mental health and safety. The initiative responds to a rising trend of student suicides in Kota, aiming to enhance support and oversight in educational environments.
Key Takeaways
- Rajasthan to introduce a bill to regulate coaching centres.
- New guidelines require counsellors in coaching institutes.
- National Health Mission allocates support for mental health.
- Psychological counselling centre established in Kota.
- Efforts to reduce student suicides are ongoing.
Jaipur, Feb 20 (NationPress) Rajasthan's Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Khinvsar declared in the Assembly on Thursday that a new bill will be introduced shortly to regulate coaching centres across the state.
He mentioned that the draft guidelines, which are in line with the Union government’s regulations for coaching centres, require the appointment of counsellors in each coaching institute to oversee student welfare.
In response to additional queries during Question Hour, the minister noted that the National Health Mission has allocated 105 psychologists and 270 counsellors in Rajasthan to help combat student suicides, especially in Kota.
Furthermore, mental health assistance is accessible through the Tele Manas Helpline (1889 and 14416), managed by the Medical Department.
“In the last 18 months, the helpline has handled 27,000 calls, providing support to troubled students. In answer to a written question from MLA Shanti Dhariwal, the minister revealed that 19 students enrolled in coaching in Kota took their own lives in the past year,” he said.
To tackle this urgent issue, the government sanctioned the creation of a psychological counselling centre on July 6, 2023, establishing three clinical psychologist roles and six counsellor positions.
“Currently, one psychologist and four counsellors are employed on a contractual basis at the psychological counselling centre in Naveen Hospital, Kota. Counseling services are delivered by faculty members, resident doctors, and clinical psychologists from the hospital's Psychology Department,” the minister stated.
He added that in 2024, 462 students received counselling or treatment at the centre, emphasizing that the forthcoming bill aims to enhance mental health support and ensure that coaching centres comply with stricter regulations to protect student welfare.
Kota is recognized as the country’s leading coaching hub, attracting numerous students annually striving to succeed in the IIT-JEE (engineering) and NEET (medical) entrance exams. However, recent years have seen a troubling increase in student suicides in the city, raising alarms among students, parents, and officials.
In 2024, 17 students died by suicide, with seven additional cases reported so far in 2025.
