Coaching Centres Turning into Death Traps: When will the system wake up, and when will students be safe?
Lucknow Fire Incident: The tragic fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on 22 June 2026, which claimed at least 15 young lives, has once again exposed serious safety failures in India’s coaching industry. Reports suggest that many victims were trapped by smoke and flames, while some desperately jumped from upper floors to escape.
This tragedy brings back painful memories of the 2024 Delhi coaching centre disaster in Old Rajinder Nagar, where three UPSC aspirants drowned after rainwater flooded the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle. Investigations later raised concerns about unauthorized use of the basement and possible safety lapses.
A disturbing pattern
These incidents reveal a disturbing pattern. Coaching institutes, which are meant to provide a safe learning environment, are often operating in overcrowded commercial buildings not designed to accommodate hundreds of students. Many centres function in basements, upper floors, and narrow structures with inadequate fire exits, poor ventilation, and weak emergency preparedness.
Compromises on safety
The pressure to maximize profits frequently leads to compromises on safety. Students and parents usually focus on faculty quality and results, while issues such as fire clearances, building permissions, evacuation plans, and structural safety receive little attention. The consequences become visible only when disaster strikes.
A wake-up call for authorities
The Lucknow fire and the Delhi flooding incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities, coaching operators, and parents alike. Regular safety audits, strict enforcement of building regulations, mandatory emergency exits, and periodic evacuation drills are no longer optional—they are essential. Education centres cannot be allowed to become places where students risk their lives simply by attending classes.
Ultimately, no examination or career aspiration is worth a student’s life. The true measure of a coaching institute is not only the ranks it produces, but also the safety and dignity it provides to those who study there.
ANASUYA ROY