‘Black Hole for Talent’? VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Slams Coaching Institutes

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has stirred national debate with his recent criticism of India’s coaching institute culture, referring to these institutions as a "black hole for talent" during a public address. His remarks reignite a long-standing concern about the rising influence—and consequences—of private coaching centers on the education system.

While acknowledging the competitive edge these institutes provide, Dhankhar warned that they often rob students of creativity, critical thinking, and emotional development. By framing coaching centers as "poaching hubs" for young minds, he emphasized that the nation is losing a generation of holistic learners to rote-based, exam-driven training.

Over the last two decades, India’s coaching industry has exploded into a multibillion-rupee market, especially in cities like Kota, Hyderabad, and Delhi. For many students, particularly in the engineering and medical streams, coaching has become almost synonymous with success. However, this has also led to increasing mental health issues, high stress levels, and growing inequality among students who cannot afford such programs.

Critics of the system argue that entrance exams are no longer about aptitude but about access—to resources, money, and elite coaching techniques. While coaching may increase scores, it often sidelines learning for learning's sake and widens the gap between urban and rural students.

Dhankhar’s comments hint at a deeper national need: strengthening school-level education, investing in quality teaching, and ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds get equal opportunities to succeed—without needing a parallel industry to compensate for academic shortcomings.