Inside 'Kota Cares': How Kota Plans to Support its Students

~ 4,000 hostels unite in unprecedented move to slash student living costs; security deposits abolished

~ City deploys high-tech safety network: biometric systems, CCTV surveillance, and 24x7 emergency response; free access to recreation zones

National, February 24, 2025: The Kota District Administration today announced a comprehensive set of reforms under its 'Kota Cares' initiative, marking a significant transformation in how India's premier coaching hub approaches student welfare. The reforms, developed through extensive stakeholder consultations, introduce sweeping changes across student housing, safety protocols, and support systems, setting new benchmarks for educational cities nationwide.

Kota Cares, launched in December 2024, represents a paradigm shift in student support, moving beyond academic excellence to create a holistic ecosystem of care. The initiative brings together the district administration, coaching institutes, hostel associations, and local communities in a coordinated effort to enhance student well-being.

“Kota Cares is about reimagining how we support the lakhs of students who come to our city chasing their dreams,” said District Collector Dr. Ravindra Goswami. “Through these comprehensive reforms, we're creating a support system that addresses every aspect of student life - from affordable housing to mental health support to recreational needs. This is about transforming Kota into a city that cares for its students as much as it coaches them.”

The reforms, developed through collaboration between the District Administration and various stakeholders, include multiple first-of-its-kind collective initiatives:

Housing and Financial Support:

• Elimination of security and caution deposits across 4,000 hostels

• Standardization of maintenance charges with a ₹2,000 annual cap

• Transparent payment systems with mandatory receipts for all transactions

• Clear guidelines for room changes and vacation policies

Safety and Security Measures:

• Mandatory gatekeeper training for all hostel staff

• Installation of modern safety infrastructure including CCTV and biometric systems

• Special provisions for women's hostels including female wardens

• Compulsory Anti-Hanging Device certificates and Fire NOCs

• Regular night attendance through personal room visits

Student Well-being Initiatives:

• Free access to Chambal Riverfront and Oxygen Zones

• Dedicated recreation areas in all hostels

• Mid-term vacation food services

• Emergency medical services

Support Infrastructure:

• Kota Cares help desks at railway stations and bus stands

• City-wide network of student support centers

• Coordinated response system for student assistance

Speaking on behalf of the city's hostel associations, leaders Vishwanath Sharma, Sunil Agarwal, and Naveen Mittal stated, “These reforms reflect our collective commitment to student welfare. We're not just providing accommodation; we're creating homes away from home where students can thrive. Every measure being implemented under Kota Cares has been designed with student well-being at its core.”

The initiative builds on Kota's position as India's leading coaching hub, where over 1.25 lakh students pursue their dreams annually. The reforms acknowledge the unique pressures faced by these students and create a comprehensive support system to address them.

Implementation of these reforms has already begun, with hostel associations taking the lead in adopting the new guidelines. The District Administration has established a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

This transformation under Kota Cares represents a significant step forward in educational ecosystem reform, potentially serving as a model for other educational hubs across India.

For more information or interview requests for the District Collector, please contact:

Vishwanath Sharma – 70730-91100; Naveen Mittal – 94134-43223

About Kota Cares by the Kota District Administration

Launched in December 2024, Kota Cares is a pioneering initiative by the Kota District Administration that brings together all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for students. The program brings together an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, including local police, government departments, educators, hostel owners, shopkeepers, autorickshaw drivers, students, and their parents, to create a nurturing environment for students. The initiative rests on three pillars: community engagement, enhanced support systems, and cultural transformation, working together to ensure student success and well-being.