Amid controversies surrounding the closure of its centres in North India, allegations of financial irregularities, and FIRs, the leading JEE coaching institute FIITJEE is facing mounting problems. While the management has attempted to reassure anxious parents, last-minute class arrangements and revelations from current and former staff point to deepening troubles. The mass exodus of faculty and growing discontent among parents and students now cast a shadow over the institute’s once-sterling reputation, raising serious questions about its future.
Some members of the management have blamed rival institutions for seizing the opportunity to tarnish FIITJEE’s reputation. On Saturday, the institute described the current situation as “temporary,” attributing it to the “overnight desertion” of its centre managing partners and their teams, emphasising that this was not a decision made by the institution itself. However, teachers who have left FIITJEE told FE that the institute is in dire straits.
“This situation didn’t arise overnight. FIITJEE has been struggling for some time, but in recent days, the crisis has become critical,” said a teacher who recently resigned from a FIITJEE centre.
Several teachers have accused the institute of exploitative practices. They alleged that they lost their security deposits and had portions of their basic salaries withheld when they broke their three-year contracts by resigning early.
“My ₹14 lakh is stuck with the institute, and they are not responding to my emails. Many other teachers who have resigned are facing the same issue. This amounts to fraud worth hundreds of crores, but no one seems to be addressing it,” alleged a former teacher.
Each FIITJEE batch typically comprises around 40 students. However, at its main centre in Kalu Sarai, four to five batches were reportedly merged into one. Students were shocked to find new teachers abruptly taking their classes over the weekend, and online classes started late, compounding the confusion.
Since the crisis began, the institute has been sending optimistic messages via SMS and WhatsApp to students and parents, claiming that operations are unaffected. One such message stated: “Our legacy of producing top results in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NTSE, and Olympiads over the last 28 years remains unparalleled. Students join FIITJEE for its systems and legacy, not individual teachers. We remain committed to academic excellence.”
According to sources, some former FIITJEE teachers who have joined other coaching institutes are reportedly contacting current FIITJEE students and persuading them to switch. These teachers are allegedly assuring students that they do not need to pay the remaining fees to FIITJEE and can instead continue their classes at the new institutes by paying the balance there.
Meanwhile, parents have accused FIITJEE of misappropriating hundreds of crores in fees. Those who enrolled their children in four-year programmes have been particularly affected. Despite the management’s assurances that classes will continue as per terms, the exodus of teachers has raised significant concerns.
Shivani Singh, a parent whose son was enrolled at FIITJEE’s Laxmi Nagar centre, shared her distress: “My son was prepared to attend his regular classes, only to find the centre closed. Despite a large group of parents gathering in confusion and frustration, no representative from the institute was present to address our concerns.”
Pramod Kumar Panda, another aggrieved parent, said: “My son was enrolled in the four-year programme at the Kalu Sarai centre, covering Classes IX to XII, for which I had paid the full fees. We later learned that teachers had not been paid their salaries, and even the housekeeping staff was left unpaid. When we visited the centre, the head was unreachable and not answering any calls. Shockingly, they were still admitting students as recently as two weeks ago. Imagine the amount of money that has been lost.”
“This entire story is part of a criminal conspiracy hatched by people with vested interests. The truth will emerge as detailed investigations are conducted,” said a senior institute official who wished to remain anonymous. He added that the institute is working to resume operations at affected centres and remains committed to supporting students, parents, and stakeholders.
FIITJEE has denied allegations of financial misconduct, stating that its accounts are fully audited by reputable concurrent and statutory auditors. “FIITJEE’s accounts are 100% ethical and compliant with the laws of the land,” the institute claimed in a statement.
When asked about the alleged misappropriation of funds, the institute explained that the day-to-day operations of each centre are managed by individual centre managing partners under a profit-sharing model. “These managing partners receive both a share of profits and a regular salary. They forced the corporate management to take over collections, causing significant losses.”
Despite these explanations, FIITJEE has yet to make a public statement addressing the closure of several centres. This has left thousands of students and parents in crisis, particularly with exams around the corner.
The affected students, mainly in Classes 11 and 12, are in a precarious situation. Class 12 students are preparing for their board exams, scheduled for late February or early March, while the JEE is expected in April-May. JEE coaching institutes also play a crucial role in helping students prepare for their board exams.
In North India, the sudden closure of FIITJEE centres, coupled with mass teacher resignations over unpaid dues, has left at least 3,500 students in the lurch.