Rajesh Maheshwari, founder director at Allen Career Institute, has confirmed a significant decline in admissions to Kota-based educational institutions for 2024. According to a note to educators, seen by Entrackr, Maheshwari reported a 31% drop in admissions compared to the previous year, attributing this decrease to “disinformation” about Kota.
The medical quota saw 46,000 admissions, down by nearly 33% from the previous year. Similarly, admissions in the IIT category fell from 33,000 to less than 24,000. Overall, total admissions decreased to less than 80,000 this year, compared to 115,000 last year.
“We stood together during a tough situation like COVID and showed the world why Kota is the frontrunner,” Maheshwari said in the note. He emphasized Allen’s strong performance in all examination categories and highlighted efforts in student care to combat disinformation.
The decline in admissions is not a new trend. In September 2023, The Ken reported a nearly 20% drop in student admissions since June 2023.
Kota, a major hub for competitive exam preparation, particularly for IIT and medical entrance tests, is home to a coaching industry valued at Rs 6,000 crore. However, the city also faces challenges, including high-pressure environments and a rise in student suicides, with 23 reported cases in 2023 compared to 15 in 2022. In response, local authorities mandated the installation of spring devices on ceiling fans in hostels to prevent suicides.
Maheshwari’s comments come amid ongoing controversies, including the cancellation of several key examinations due to paper leaks and sporadic protests.
In response to the declining admissions, Kota-based institutes are likely to offer more lucrative facilities, discounts, and other incentives to retain students. However, it remains uncertain whether these measures will address the deeper issues faced by aspirational students.
We have reached out to Rajesh Maheshwari for further insights on admissions and student care initiatives and will update this report upon receiving his response.
