India’s competitive-exam coaching industry is entering a new phase as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s free online coaching push meets a rapidly expanding private test-prep market. With the $14.8 billion industry projected to reach $23–26 billion by FY30, major players are already moving beyond Kota and other traditional hubs into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The shift could make preparation more accessible for students, but also intensify competition among coaching companies as they balance digital access with the demand for quality physical classrooms, teachers and infrastructure.