At the 4th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Kota on July 12, 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar unleashed a scathing critique of India’s coaching culture, branding centres as “poaching hubs” that turn students into “intellectual zombies.” Speaking in Kota—India’s coaching capital—he warned that the mushrooming of these institutes is a “menacing” threat to the nation’s youth, stifling creativity and undermining the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With 14 student suicides reported in Kota in 2025 alone, Dhankhar’s words are a rallying cry for urgent reform.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar calls coaching centres “poaching hubs” and “black holes for talent.”
- Speech delivered at IIIT Kota’s 4th Convocation on July 12, 2025.
- Urges shift from rote learning to skill development and creativity.
Coaching Centres: Black Holes for Talent
Key Points:
- Coaching centres prioritize exam success over holistic learning.
- Students are “robotised,” losing critical thinking and curiosity.
- Aggressive advertising misleads parents and exploits students.
Dhankhar didn’t hold back, describing coaching centres as “black holes” that trap talent in “regimented silos.” He criticized their focus on churning out exam-passing machines rather than fostering creative thinkers. “They prepare students for years and robotise them. Their thinking is absolutely stifled,” he said, highlighting how the obsession with grades compromises curiosity—an essential driver of innovation. The Vice President also slammed the centres’ aggressive advertising, questioning the ethics of luring parents with promises of success while draining their finances.
The Dark Side of Coaching Culture
Key Points:
- Coaching pressure linked to psychological issues and suicides.
- Kota reported 14 student suicides in 2025, reflecting intense stress.
- Limited seats fuel a toxic race for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
Kota, a hub for JEE and NEET aspirants, exemplifies the coaching crisis. Dhankhar pointed to the tragic loss of lives, noting that students who succumbed to pressure were likely unaware of diverse opportunities in fields like space science, cybersecurity, and the blue economy. “The seats are limited, but coaching centres are all over the country,” he said, emphasizing how this mismatch fuels a high-pressure environment that can lead to psychological distress and even suicide. The statistics are grim: 14 suicides in Kota this year alone underscore the toll of this relentless race.
A Vision for Reform: From Coaching to Skill Hubs
Key Points:
- Dhankhar urges coaching centres to transform into skill development hubs.
- Aligns with NEP 2020’s focus on holistic, skill-based education.
- Rajasthan’s new bill aims to regulate coaching institutes.
Dhankhar proposed a bold solution: transform coaching centres into skill hubs that nurture creativity and practical skills. “We need coaching for skill,” he said, urging centres to use their infrastructure to support NEP 2020’s vision of holistic education. He emphasized that grades don’t define success, telling students, “Your marksheets and grades will not define you. Your knowledge and thinking mind will.” Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has responded with the Rajasthan Coaching Centers (Control and Regulation) Bill-2025, drafted to ensure a supportive learning environment and address student mental health.
Beyond Education: A Call for Digital Sovereignty
Key Points:
- Dhankhar warns against reliance on foreign technology in critical sectors.
- Advocates for tech-driven patriotism and digital self-reliance.
- Urges youth to develop inclusive, localized digital solutions.
Dhankhar’s speech wasn’t limited to education. He highlighted the dangers of depending on foreign technology, especially in defence, stating, “Armies have been replaced by algorithms.” He called for a new era of “technological patriotism,” urging students to build digital tools that serve rural India, understand regional languages, and include the disabled. “A smart app that doesn’t work in rural India is not smart enough,” he said, inspiring the youth to lead India toward digital sovereignty.
A Rallying Cry for Change
Key Points:
- Coaching culture undermines NEP 2020 and student well-being.
- Civil society and policymakers must address this “malice.”
- Students urged to prioritize knowledge over grades.
Vice President Dhankhar’s powerful address is a wake-up call for India’s education system. By labeling coaching centres as “poaching hubs,” he’s spotlighting a crisis that threatens the nation’s future. With NEP 2020 as a roadmap, he envisions an education system that fosters curiosity, skills, and resilience. “We cannot allow our education to be so smeared and tarnished,” he declared, urging civil society, educators, and policymakers to act. As Kota grapples with its coaching legacy, it’s time to transform it into a true education hub. Students, parents, and institutes—let’s heed this call and rebuild learning for a brighter future
