This year, the Assam government appears determined to crack down on malpractices and restore credibility to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test
As the stage is set for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) on May 4, Assam finds itself at a crossroads—one that leads into the murky underbelly of competitive exam preparation and the role of coaching centres, many of which are now under the scanner of state authorities and security forces.
The Kamrup (Metro) district administration has finalised all arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent conduct of the NEET exam. But what sets this year’s exam apart isn’t the logistics or the number of candidates. It’s the rising cloud of suspicion and a crackdown on coaching centres allegedly involved in facilitating exam fraud. What was once an open secret in Guwahati’s booming coaching industry is now being exposed under the harsh spotlight of government scrutiny and police investigations.
The alarm bells started ringing more than four years ago, when in November 2020, the Assam Police arrested the owner of Global Edulite, a Guwahati-based coaching centre. The individual was apprehended at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport for allegedly acting as a proxy in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains scam. The student in question topped the state with an impressive 99.8 percentile—despite limited classroom performance. The incident not only rattled the credibility of the examination process but also hinted at a much deeper malaise within the private coaching ecosystem.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Assam Police, working with intelligence agencies, are again raising concerns about the veracity of top scorers in competitive exams like NEET and JEE.
“There are many coaching centres under scanner but concrete evidence will be gained after the May 4 NEET exam,” a senior police official told GPlus on condition of anonymity. “It is surprising that students scoring very poorly in Class 12 score very good marks in competitive exams like NEET and JEE—and this happens only with students who have attended coaching classes,” the official added.
To tighten the noose around unscrupulous practices, the Assam Cabinet recently passed a landmark piece of legislation—the Assam Coaching Institutes (Control and Regulation) Act, 2025. The Act seeks to enforce regulatory compliance and standardisation in an industry that has so far functioned with minimal oversight.
According to the Act, coaching institutes are now required to obtain prior security clearance before operation. Each centre must register with the District Commissioner within 30 days from the commencement of the Act. The registration, once granted, will be valid for two years. Mandatory infrastructure standards have also been specified: a minimum of one square metre per student, a valid three-year rental agreement for those operating out of leased premises, and CCTV installations wherever necessary for student safety.
In a significant move to prevent over-commercialisation, the Act mandates that only non-government or retired teachers with a minimum qualification of a graduate degree can be employed as instructors. Coaching centres will also be prohibited from enrolling students below the age of 16 or those who have not completed their secondary education. Perhaps most critically, the legislation curbs the kind of aggressive marketing and false promises that have plagued the sector. Institutions found in violation can face penalties including fines, suspension, or even cancellation of their registration.
A source in the state education department said, “All these regulations were not there for coaching centres so far. But as soon as the department gets notice from the government, the coaching centres will be regulated accordingly.”
The Act comes at a time when public perception about coaching centres is becoming increasingly divided. Guwahati, in particular, has witnessed a mushrooming of brand-name coaching institutes—some standalone, others tied with elite private schools. These centres promise students a gateway to the nation’s premier medical and engineering colleges, but the path they offer is often riddled with immense financial, emotional, and academic pressure.
“There's actually no need for coaching if students attend school regularly,” said an official from a private international school. “Many skip classes to join coaching centres, where they receive just 19 hours of lessons per week, compared to 29 hours in schools. Schools also provide extra classes for students who need additional help. Yes, some students succeed through coaching, but they are a minority. Schools even have tie-ups with coaching institutions to provide training on-campus. Enrolling in a coaching centre doesn’t necessarily enhance academics.”
Others echo the sentiment, including teachers from government schools who witness firsthand the aspirations and limitations of students who cannot afford costly coaching. “All students studying in government school cannot afford going to coaching centres but there are many who are cracking NEET and JEE,” said a Class 11 and 12 science teacher. “Going to coaching centres is not mandatory but parents send their children because of competition and because they have money.”
