By Dheeya Singh
For millions of young Indians, the pursuit of a government job is more than a career path—it is a cultural aspiration, a family expectation, and, for many, the only perceived route to stability and respect.
Yet, the journey often comes at a steep cost: years of relentless study, financial strain, and mounting emotional pressure.
As India’s coaching industry booms, the question arises—what is the real cost of chasing this dream?
A multi-billion-rupee juggernaut
India’s coaching sector has witnessed explosive growth in the last decade, becoming a cornerstone of the country’s parallel education economy.
In 2024, the industry is estimated to be worth over ₹50,000 crore, with projections suggesting it will reach ₹1.3 lakh crore by 2028.
This surge is fuelled by the fierce competition for government jobs—positions that offer not just salaries, but social standing, job security, and a sense of achievement in a country with a population of 1.43 billion.
| Fiscal Year | GST Collected (₹ crore) | Implied Market Size (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | 2,240.73 | 12,448 |
| 2020–21 | 2,215.24 | 12,307 |
| 2021–22 | 3,045.12 | 16,917 |
| 2022–23 | 4,667.03 | 25,928 |
| 2023–24 | 5,517.45 | 30,652 |
The table highlights the rapid commercialisation of India’s coaching industry, with GST collections more than doubling over five years—from ₹2,240 crore in 2019–20 to over ₹5,500 crore in 2023–24.
At the standard 18% GST rate, this translates to an implied market size of over ₹30,000 crore last year.
Despite a brief dip during the pandemic, the sector has rebounded sharply, underscoring its growing role in the country’s parallel education economy and the scale of financial commitments made by students and their families.
Each year, around 22 million candidates apply for various government exams, from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to banking, railways, and state services.
The odds, however, remain daunting: less than 0.1% of applicants succeed in securing a post.
Despite these slim chances, coaching centres across the country enrol lakhs of students annually, selling the dream of public service and a better life.
Marketing, fees, and the reality check
Coaching institutes market themselves as gateways to success, promising expert guidance, exclusive study materials, and personal mentorships.
The fees reflect these promises, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh per course—a significant investment for most Indian families, especially those from rural or lower-income backgrounds.
Yet, the reality behind the glossy advertisements is often starkly different.
Divyangna, a UPSC aspirant from Lucknow, shares her experience: “I felt manipulated after realising that the success rates marketed by the coaching institute are not at all true. Most of the students were not even a part of the classroom experience.”
Her story echoes that of countless others who, after paying exorbitant fees, discover that the path to success is neither guaranteed nor as supportive as promised.
Educator and UPSC coach Shikhar Saurav acknowledges the ethical concerns: “It is morally wrong and unethical to advertise in a manner that does not disclose complete information, that does not clarify at which stage or step a student interacts with an institution.”
Other educators, however, argue that the responsibility lies with students and their families to conduct due diligence, insisting, “The institute can only provide a direction.”
The emotional and financial toll
The coaching industry’s relentless marketing, coupled with the societal pressure to secure a government job, has created a cycle of hope and disillusionment.
Students are often treated as clients, not individuals, with institutes maintaining “false hope” through frequent mock tests and mentorships.
The emotional cost is high—many aspirants report feelings of anxiety, inadequacy, and even depression as they struggle to meet expectations.
A 2023 survey found that over 60% of students enrolled in coaching classes felt their mental health was adversely affected by the pressure to succeed.
Financially, families often exhaust savings or take on debt to pay coaching fees, with little assurance of a return on investment.
Industry leaders are divided on the issue of accountability.
While some, like Saurav, call for greater transparency and ethical advertising, others maintain that students must take responsibility for their choices.
This tension reflects a broader debate about the role of private education in India’s job market—and the extent to which commercial interests should be allowed to shape the futures of millions.
Government officials have also begun to take notice. The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the need for regulation, with a senior official stating, “There is a growing concern about the lack of oversight in the coaching sector. We are exploring policy interventions to ensure fair practices and protect students from exploitation.”
India’s youth and the employment crisis
India is home to the world’s largest youth population, with over 600 million people under the age of 25. This demographic dividend, if harnessed, could drive economic growth for decades.
Yet, the reality for many young Indians is one of uncertainty and frustration.
The unemployment rate among graduates stood at 17.8% in 2023, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), and government jobs remain scarce relative to demand.
The result is a growing reliance on coaching institutes, which promise a pathway to security but often deliver disappointment.
As one former aspirant put it, “We are spending our youth and our family’s savings for a chance, not a guarantee of, stable life.”
Calls for reform
The rapid expansion of the coaching industry has exposed gaps in regulation and oversight.
Unlike formal educational institutions, coaching centres operate with minimal government intervention.
There are no fee caps, no standardised curricula, and little transparency about actual success rates.
Experts and student advocates are calling for urgent reforms, including:
- Fee regulation: To prevent exploitation and ensure affordability.
- Transparency in advertising: Mandating disclosure of real success rates and the nature of student engagement.
- Quality standards: Setting benchmarks for teaching, materials, and student support.
- Mental health support: Providing resources for students coping with stress and disappointment.
As India’s coaching industry continues to expand, the need for balance becomes ever more pressing.
Ambition must be matched by realistic expectations, and the pursuit of a dream should not come at the expense of financial security or mental well-being.
Policymakers, educators, and industry leaders must work together to create a system that supports, rather than exploits, the aspirations of India’s youth.
Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum, notes, “The coaching industry has become a parallel education system. While it fills gaps left by formal institutions, it must be held to higher standards of transparency and accountability to truly serve students’ interests.”
The cost of chasing a government job in India today is measured not just in rupees but in years lost, emotional strain, and, for many, a sense of betrayal.
As the coaching industry booms, so too does the imperative for reform. Without meaningful change, the dreams of millions will remain just that—dreams, costly and unfulfilled.
(Dheeya Singh is an intern at Invezz, based in New Delhi and currently pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science from Kirorimal College, University of Delhi. She specialises in politics and international relations.)
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