Over 600 IELTS coaching centres in Gujarat shut within 4 months

Gujarat’s once-booming IELTS coaching industry is facing an unprecedented collapse, with nearly 600 centres shutting down in the first four months of 2025. The steepest impact has been felt in Ahmedabad.

According to industry sources, the decline is directly linked to stricter visa rules introduced by Canada, the US, the UK and Australia. Canada’s decision to impose a cap on international student intake has had the most significant effect, leading to a 41% drop in visa applications from Gujarat.

Overall, student applications for foreign studies from the state have declined by about 40%, severely denting the demand for IELTS coaching.

The shift in student behaviour has added another layer to the downturn. A large number of students now prefer self-study, relying on YouTube, free online material and digital courses.

Many coaching centres have moved entirely to online teaching, leaving physical classrooms deserted.

Experts say the rise of language-learning apps, changing study habits, and the tightening of visa scrutiny have all contributed to the decline. The old ecosystem, where agents earned commissions from both IELTS fees and foreign college admissions, has also taken a hit.

While smaller towns continue to see some demand, mainly because many students there still rely on structured coaching, cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot are seeing a decline.