Coaching city sets up support system to end student suicides

Kota City in India’s western state of Rajasthan is often referred to as the country’s coaching capital because of its large number of coaching centres that prepare students for highly competitive exams for admission to top engineering colleges, medical schools and even the civil service.

Each year, over 200,000 students take up residence in Kota for several months to prepare for exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), which is the graduate-level engineering entrance exam, and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions.

In recent years, however, the city has garnered attention for another reason: the tragic suicides of students preparing for these exams. It is symptomatic of the intensified pressure on students competing for coveted spots at institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and medical schools.

According to figures presented in the Rajasthan state assembly, 127 students died of suicide in Kota between 2015 and 2024. As of the time of writing, six students have already taken their lives this year, 2025.

India's education system and families place immense pressure on students to succeed, and parents often invest substantial financial and emotional resources in them, which can lead to high expectations and stress for students.

The consequences can be devastating when students fail to meet these expectations. Fear of disappointing their families and society can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and hopelessness, driving some students to extremes, including suicide.

Supportive ecosystem

Addressing the growing number of suicides and attempted suicides, the Kota district administration in December 2024 launched “Kota Cares”. The initiative is designed to provide emotional support and counselling services to students, particularly those struggling with academic pressure and mental health issues.

The goal is to create a supportive ecosystem that encourages students to open up about their struggles and seek help when needed. By providing access to counselling, mentorship, and other support services, Kota Cares aims to reduce the incidence of student suicides in the city and promote a culture of mental health awareness and wellbeing.

Ravindra Goswami, who serves as the Kota District Collector — the highest-ranking district official in charge of general administration and finances – can often be seen sharing meals with students, talking about his own experiences to inspire resilience in coping with the ups and downs of life. In recent months, he has interacted with thousands of students in Kota.

“The goal of this initiative is to relieve students of stress and pressure while providing them with the right guidance and support. Instead of succumbing to stress, students should focus on their self-confidence and abilities to achieve their goals,” Goswami told University World News.

He believes life is full of ups and downs, “but we should not give up”.

Goswami emphasised that students in the city face a complex array of challenges. “Every student has their own distinct struggles, ranging from academic difficulties to parental expectations and social pressures, all of which can be intensified by being away from family,” he noted.

‘Gatekeeper training’

A crucial aspect of the initiative is the ‘gatekeeper training’ programme, which has equipped nearly 7,000 educators, hostel staff, and coaching staff to recognise early warning signs of mental stress. This enables them to provide timely counselling and support to students.

An online parent-teacher meeting platform has also been introduced for parents and teachers to communicate and share feedback on a student’s progress. A dedicated helpline has been launched, receiving 10 to 15 emails daily from students seeking guidance and counselling from trained professionals, Goswami noted.

Students have expressed gratitude for the initiative and its focus on student welfare. It not only helps them cope but also motivates them to strive for their goals, they said.

“The efforts by the district administration are helpful in many ways. We know that we have someone to turn to if we find ourselves in stress. Such initiatives are very much needed for students,” said Rajneesh Kumar, a student from Bihar preparing for the JEE.

Empowering students

The authorities are handling the issue with care, sensitively encouraging students to seek help and ensuring they feel comfortable with it.

According to Goswami: “We’re adopting a discrete approach to avoid causing unnecessary alarm or stigma. Our objective is to empower students to voluntarily accept counselling and support without feeling coerced or ashamed.”

Kota Cares is holistic, integrating academic support with housing, safety, and mental health services. The centralised platform brings together key stakeholders, including coaching centres, hostel owners, local authorities, and even drivers of auto-rickshaws – a popular mode of transport used by students.

Hostels and coaching schools are particularly keen to be seen to be improving their duty of care after negative publicity over student suicides was said to be behind a drop in the number of students coming to Kota to around 100,000 in 2024.

Other coaching centres have opened up to attract students away from Kota despite its reputation for excellence, as many parents prefer coaching centres closer to home to avoid intense pressure.

Naveen Mittal, hostel association president, told University World News that students who come to Kota to study, sometimes for over a year, were the responsibility of hostel owners.

“They should experience a family-like atmosphere away from home. We are concerned and vigilant about this matter. It is important for this city that the activities of students are monitored. Kota should be known for care as well as career,” said Mittal.

“There is a collective alertness among everyone. The efforts of one person will not be sufficient; everyone must be enthusiastic and take care of the students,” he added.