India, Oct. 13 -- Free coaching can remove one of the biggest barriers to competitive-exam preparation: cost. The proposed nationwide network of free online coaching, announced from the Red Fort on August 15, 2026, could widen access for students who cannot afford established coaching programmes. The larger education question lies elsewhere. Why has an additional layer of coaching become so necessary for students preparing for some of the country's most important examinations?

Nearly one in four school students in India is taking or has taken private coaching. The Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education 2025, conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, puts the figure at 27% nationally, rising to 30.7% in urban ...