As Kota prepares for the upcoming academic session 2025-26, the district administration has introduced a series of new guidelines under the Kota Cares Campaign to enhance student welfare and safety. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on students and create a more secure and supportive environment for those preparing for competitive exams.
To enhance student welfare, safety, and transparency in hostel accommodations, a set of new guidelines has been introduced. These measures focus on reducing financial burdens, improving security, and fostering a supportive living environment for students.
Security Fee Waiver: The mandatory security deposit and caution money, which were previously charged by hostels and refunded at the end of the academic year, have been abolished. This measure aims to significantly reduce the cost of accommodation for students, easing their financial burden.
Maintenance Fee Implementation: While the security deposit has been removed, hostels will now be permitted to charge a nominal maintenance fee of Rs 2,000. This fee is intended to cover essential upkeep costs and ensure proper maintenance of hostel facilities.
Safety Enhancements: To improve student safety, all hostels will be required to install anti-suicide ceiling fans, a preventive measure against self-harm incidents. Additionally, mandatory training programs for hostel staff, including gatekeepers, will be introduced to enhance student supervision and crisis intervention skills.
Enhanced Security Measures: Hostels will be equipped with functional CCTV cameras and biometric attendance systems to strengthen security. Furthermore, a manual night-time attendance check will be implemented to ensure student safety and accountability.
Student Welfare Initiatives: In a bid to promote student well-being, hostels will offer free one-time entry to the Chambal Riverfront and Oxygen Zone Park, providing students with opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
Additionally, Kota Cares helpdesks will be set up at the railway station and bus stand to assist incoming students.
Hostels will also feature designated recreation areas to foster a balanced living environment. To enhance financial transparency, parents will receive proper receipts for all payments made.
These measures collectively aim to improve student safety, well-being, and transparency within hostel accommodations.
Kota District Collector, Dr. Ravindra Goswami, emphasised that the Kota Cares Campaign is designed to provide students with an improved living and learning environment. “With the growing student population in Kota, significant infrastructure developments have been made to ensure their well-being. These new measures will help offer the best facilities and an ideal atmosphere for academic success,” he stated.
The Kota Hostel Association, represented by Vishwanath Sharma, Sunil Agarwal, and Naveen Mittal, has welcomed the new regulations, committing to raising the standards of student care. They assured full cooperation with the district administration and coaching institutes to implement the guidelines effectively.
The initiative comes in response to a sharp decline in student enrollment in Kota’s coaching institutes, dropping from over 2 lakh to approximately 1.24 lakh in the 2024-25 session. This decline has resulted in a 50 per cent revenue loss for the hostel sector, with occupancy rates falling below 40 per cent in many accommodations.
By implementing these reforms, the administration hopes to restore Kota’s appeal as a premier coaching hub while ensuring student safety, affordability, and a conducive study environment. The campaign represents a proactive approach to addressing student concerns and enhancing Kota’s reputation as a leading educational destination.
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