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The high‑stakes race to crack India’s premier engineering entrance has turned Kota into a sprawling coaching ecosystem. Every year, nearly 150,000–200,000 students descend on this city in Rajasthan. Only around 5,000 secure seats in top IITs, which is a success rate of roughly 2.5 percent . For the vast majority who fall short, the path ahead can be as uncertain as the exam itself.
Many who don’t clear JEE Advanced opt to “drop” for another year, immersing themselves once more in the rhythm of regimented study halls and mock tests. Yet financial constraints often determine how many attempts a student can sustain. As one aspirant from Siliguri recalls, “If your father is not rich enough and you miss your only shot, it leads to depression” . Others adjust their aspirations immediately, pivoting to state engineering colleges, alternative exams like MET or VITEEE, or even pursuing polytechnic diplomas. Thus choosing a guaranteed seat over the gamble of another prep cycle.
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Facing Problems
The emotional weight in Kota is well‑recorded. Since 2015, over 100 student suicides have been recorded in the city, with 26 in 2023 and seven by February 2025 . Removed from family support and surrounded by constant comparison, many find themselves at the edge of burnout. “Weird thoughts used to come to my mind, and I would imagine them to be real,” says a former Resonance topper who sought counselling after nearly succumbing to despair . The burden of hefty fees, often more than ₹150,000–200,000 per year only deepens the pressure. This left families stretched and students feeling they have nowhere to turn .
Yet a different narrative quietly unfolds alongside these statistics. For some, not securing an IIT seat becomes the point at which fresh possibilities emerge. Rohan, who initially aimed for medical school, admits, “I had no backup plan, and today’s statistics show that’s a big NO” . His frankness highlights a critical gap: conventional coaching rarely equips students to envision alternate pathways. This is true whether students are in the arts, design, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades.
A Way Out
Encouragingly, grassroots initiatives are beginning to address this. Local NGOs and Kota alumni networks host peer‑led support circles, mental health workshops, and weekend seminars on diverse careers. A handful of coaching centers have started integrating portfolio‑based projects into their curriculum, offering students hands‑on experience alongside test preparation. These extracurricular labs, where teams build water‑purification prototypes or develop simple apps are small havens of curiosity and collaboration.
For the majority rerouting their dreams, whether committing to another year of coaching, accepting a less‑renowned college, or returning home, the adjustment remains challenging. Many speak of dwindled self‑esteem and an identity crisis. “My entire self‑worth was tied to a rank; when that didn’t materialize, I felt lost,” reflects one student who eventually found purpose in start‑up internships rather than exam halls.
There is, however, a promising alternative: Project‑based learning (PBL). By engaging students in meaningful, collaborative projects, PBL shifts the focus from memorization to application. It nurtures critical thinking, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment that transcends the scoreboard of any single exam.
Integrating PBL into Kota’s academic culture could ease the all‑or‑nothing tension of JEE preparation and furnish students with tangible evidence of their skills. Even for those who don’t secure an IIT seat, a portfolio of completed projects and collaborative achievements through PBL can unlock opportunities. When learning is defined by exploration and impact rather than a single test, every student carries forward something substantial, no matter the rank they earn.
