Every year, millions of Indian students walk into coaching classrooms carrying dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, civil servants or securing admission to prestigious universities. Many emerge successful. But countless others leave with something far heavier—anxiety, burnout, shattered confidence and, in the most tragic cases, lives cut short.

India's coaching industry, estimated to be worth billions of dollars, has become one of the country's most influential education ecosystems. From Kota and Hyderabad to Delhi, Patna and Prayagraj, coaching institutes have transformed entire cities into academic hubs. Their advertisements celebrate rank holders, AIR-1 achievers and record-breaking selections. Hidden behind those billboards, however, are stories that rarely make the marketing brochures.

The issue is not coaching itself. Extra academic support has always existed and will continue to play an important role for students preparing for competitive examinations. The problem begins when coaching stops being supplementary education and starts replacing childhood, curiosity and mental well-being.

For many families, coaching has become less of a choice and more of a necessity. Parents often invest years of savings, believing that admission into an elite institution is the only path to financial security. Students, some barely in their teens, find themselves locked into relentless schedules that stretch from early morning classes to late-night practice tests. Success becomes a number, failure a permanent label.

This pressure is amplified by the country's intensely competitive entrance examinations. Limited seats, massive applicant pools and high expectations create an environment where every mark seems life-changing. Coaching institutes, operating in this ecosystem, frequently reinforce the belief that a student's worth can be measured by a rank.

The psychological consequences are increasingly visible. Reports of depression, loneliness, panic disorders and academic burnout among students have become disturbingly common. Cities known for coaching have also witnessed repeated incidents of student suicides, prompting governments to introduce guidelines on counselling, hostel conditions and class timings. While these interventions are necessary, they address the symptoms rather than the underlying culture.

Another concern is the widening inequality created by the coaching economy. Quality coaching often comes at a significant financial cost, making access easier for affluent families while placing enormous economic strain on others. Even with scholarships and online platforms, many students continue to face unequal opportunities simply because they cannot afford premium preparation.

Technology has further reshaped this landscape. Online coaching has expanded access, but it has also intensified competition. Students are now surrounded by constant performance comparisons through leaderboards, test analytics and social media posts celebrating top scorers. The pressure no longer ends when classes are over—it follows them home through smartphones and laptops.

The solution is not to dismantle the coaching industry. Millions of students genuinely benefit from structured guidance, experienced faculty and disciplined preparation. Instead, policymakers, educational institutions and coaching providers must redefine what success looks like.

Mental health support should become a core component of coaching programmes rather than an afterthought. Professional counsellors, stress-management sessions and regular psychological assessments should be treated as essential services. Academic performance cannot come at the cost of emotional well-being.

Schools also need to reclaim their role. A robust school education system that adequately prepares students for higher education would reduce excessive dependence on private coaching. Entrance examinations, meanwhile, should continue evolving to assess analytical ability and conceptual understanding rather than rewarding memorisation and repetitive practice alone.

Parents have an equally important role. Aspirations are natural, but they must not become burdens. A child's identity cannot be confined to an examination score or college admission. Encouragement, realistic expectations and emotional support often matter as much as academic preparation.

India's demographic dividend depends not only on producing skilled professionals but also on nurturing healthy, confident and resilient young people. An education system that manufactures excellence while simultaneously manufacturing despair cannot be called a complete success.

The coaching industry has undoubtedly helped shape thousands of remarkable careers. Yet the true measure of its contribution should not be the number of toppers it produces, but whether it allows every student—successful or otherwise—to emerge with dignity, confidence and hope intact.

Panel presses NTA to strengthen exam security ahead of NEET re-exam on June 21; China’s Gaokao model and US practices discussed.

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to study examination systems in countries such as China and the United States and recommend measures to tighten security ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, officials said. The meeting came amid continuing investigations into the May 3 paper leak that led to the cancellation of the exam.

Officials before panel
NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and National Medical Commission (NMC) President Abhijat Sheth appeared before the standing committee for a third time to brief members on steps taken since irregularities surfaced on the evening of May 7, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two officials outlined logistical preparations for the pen-and-paper re-test and assurance measures being strengthened at centres across 551 Indian cities and 14 foreign centres.

Gaokao example cited
Members of the committee suggested looking at international best practices, pointing to the Chinese Gaokao and testing protocols in the United States as possible models. China’s spokesperson in India, Yu Jing, posted a video on X this week describing the Gaokao as a two-day nationwide examination for about 1.3 crore students, where some cities temporarily halt factories and traffic to prioritise examinees. Committee members said such coordination and nationwide commitment were worth studying for lessons on scale and enforcement.

Calls for systemic change
Lawmakers pressed for durable reforms to restore public confidence in the NTA after the controversy. Suggestions included tighter invigilation, strengthened chain-of-custody for answer sheets and question papers, biometric verification at centres, and real-time monitoring of exam halls. Several members reiterated past proposals to offer NEET multiple times a year — two to three sessions — so candidates are not unduly penalised by a single compromised sitting.

Context on multiple sessions
NEET-UG has traditionally been held once a year in a single session, with about 23 lakh candidates appearing in 2026. The idea of conducting NEET multiple times has resurfaced repeatedly; a 2018 government announcement proposed twice-yearly tests for JEE and NEET but was not implemented. NMC officials told the committee that a shift to multiple sessions would require changes to the counselling framework for over 1 lakh MBBS seats and would need legislative or policy adjustments to prevent vacant seats and logistical clashes.

Investigation and arrests
Investigators from the Central Bureau of Investigation have so far arrested 13 people in connection with the alleged paper leak. The NTA said irregularities were first flagged on May 7 and the matter was referred to central agencies. The May 12 cancellation and the June 21 re-exam date followed recommendations from the Education Ministry and probe agencies to ensure fairness for aspirants.

Student stress and welfare
Committee members also raised concerns about student welfare after reports of suicides linked to exam stress. They urged the government to provide support to grieving families and expand counselling services for candidates. “Reducing pressure on students and ensuring transparent processes were emphasised,” an official present at the briefing said on condition of anonymity.

Ground realities ahead
On the ground, centres have been finalising seating plans and security checks in the past fortnight, and state education departments have been asked to coordinate local law enforcement. With around 23 lakh aspirants expected to contest the re-test, officials acknowledge the logistical challenge but say the priority is to deliver a secure and credible exam.

What’s next
The committee asked the NTA to prepare a comparative note on testing models in China and the US, highlighting practices that can be adapted within India’s legal and administrative framework. The NTA has been asked to file a report before the panel ahead of a follow-up hearing later this month, officials said. Meanwhile, the CBI investigation into the leak continues and the agency is expected to submit periodic updates to the committee.