The Untold Story of Grit, Collaboration, and an Academic Revolution
In the heart of Rajasthan lies Kota, a city once known for its factories, fertilizers, and thermal power plants. Shaped by its industrial legacy, Kota remained a quiet town for decades. But over the past three decades, it has undergone a radical transformation — emerging as India’s Coaching Capital, attracting over a lakh students annually from every corner of the country.
But how did this shift happen?
What turned an industrial hub into India’s most competitive academic city?
To understand this remarkable evolution, we must rewind to the year 1986, when a single newspaper headline ignited a spark that would eventually light a fire across the nation.
The Headline That Sparked a Revolution
In 1986, a student from Kota, Sanjeev Arora, secured All India Rank 1 in the prestigious IIT JEE — India’s toughest engineering entrance exam. Along with national recognition, he received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a monumental amount at the time.
That morning, hundreds of children in Kota realized that cracking the IIT JEE wasn’t limited to students from metros like Delhi or Mumbai — it could happen right here, in their own city. For many, this was their first introduction to the idea of IIT itself.
Climbing the Ranks – One Student at a Time
Sanjeev Arora’s success sent ripples of inspiration through the city.
In 1987, Anand Gupta earned a spot in the Top 100 of the IIT JEE.
In 1988, Sudeep Gupta brought further pride with an All India Rank 5.
What followed were consistent annual successes — with 8 to 10 students from Kota clearing the IIT JEE each year, many with top ranks. While the city hadn’t yet become a coaching hub, the seeds of an academic revolution were already sown.
Two Teachers, One Vision
After graduating from IIT Delhi in 1993, Pramod Maheshwari returned to his hometown of Kota. Due to personal and family reasons, he chose to stay — and almost accidentally, began teaching Physics to IIT aspirants from a tyre warehouse, simply as a hobby.
Around the same time, V.K. Bansal, a math teacher, was already gaining attention for teaching from his home in JK Nagar. His methods were effective, personalized, and highly respected.
Soon, students who attended Bansal Sir’s math sessions started showing up for Pramod’s Physics classes. But with overlapping timings, it became a logistical problem.
Instead of seeing each other as competition, the two educators collaborated. They synchronized their class schedules with a 15-minute transition gap, allowing students to attend both sessions with ease.
“Let’s help these kids get selected. That’s all that matters.” — this became their shared mission.
There was no ego, no rivalry — only collaboration rooted in a common purpose: student success.
1995: The Year the Country Took Notice
Their partnership began producing visible results.
In 1994, Kota saw 15 IIT JEE selections.
By 1995, that number jumped to 51, with 5 students securing positions in the Top 100.
This was unprecedented. A small town outperforming big cities on a national academic stage became breaking news.
Word spread quickly: “If you want to crack IIT, go to Kota.”
Soon, students from cities like Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Alwar, Agra, and even beyond began migrating to Kota, seeking the same mentorship and environment.
The Rise of Coaching Institutions in Kota
As demand grew, both Bansal Classes (founded by V.K. Bansal) and Career Point (established by Pramod Maheshwari) began expanding their operations.
Despite being independent ventures, both educators remained deeply committed to teaching with integrity, passion, and mutual respect.
Their competition wasn’t about market share — it was about who could teach better, who could inspire more, and who could help more students succeed.
This culture of ethical teaching and academic excellence laid the foundation for what would soon become a multi-crore coaching industry.
Soon after, other major institutions like Resonance, Allen, and more followed — each contributing uniquely to Kota’s growing academic ecosystem.
Kota: A City Where Dreams Take Root
Today, Kota welcomes over 100,000 students every year, all aspiring to succeed in IIT JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams.
Where once factories and chimneys dominated the skyline, today, you’ll find hostels, libraries, bookstores, and student cafes. The air is no longer filled with industrial smoke, but with the whispers of problem-solving and the rustle of notebooks.
But amid this booming education industry, the original story remains lesser-known — a story of two teachers, one mission, and a city’s quiet yet powerful transformation.