A parliamentary standing committee has decided to examine the growing number of coaching centres preparing students for competitive examinations, amid rising concerns over student stress and suicides.

The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will review the proliferation of coaching centres, related social issues, and existing legislation governing their operation. It will also assess the impact of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies on education.

According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, the committee will additionally review the implementation of PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) during 2025–26. The panel will assess government measures to support mental health among higher education students.

The rise of coaching hubs, particularly in Kota, Rajasthan, has drawn national attention following multiple cases of student suicides linked to academic pressure. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education formed a nine-member panel to study issues related to coaching centres, the emergence of “dummy schools”, and the fairness of entrance examinations.

During the year, the committee will also examine current practices and policies on school closure, the functioning of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and efforts to promote education among linguistic and religious minorities.

The panel will seek updates on the Ministry of Education’s efforts to create the Higher Education Council of India (HECI). A bill to set up HECI — intended to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) — is listed for introduction in the Winter Session of Parliament beginning 1 December.

The committee will further review Indological academic studies and their influence on the current education system, policies to improve library access for students and adults, the functioning of centrally funded higher education institutions, and the implementation of reservations for SC, ST, OBC and EWS categories in student admissions and faculty recruitment.

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