Kota, Rajasthan

Kota, previously known as Kotah, is the third-largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located about 240 kilometres (149 mi) south of the state capital, Jaipur, on the banks of Chambal River. As of 2024, with a population of over 1.5 million, it is the third most populous city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur and Jodhpur. It serves as the administrative headquarters for Kota district and Kota division. It was founded as a walled city in the 14th century in the erstwhile Bundi state and became the capital of the princely state of Kota in 1625, following the separation of the Bundi and the Kota state. Kota is known for its coaching institutes for engineering and medical entrance exams, such as JEE and NEET. Each year, over 200,000 students move to Kota to prepare for these competitive exams, earning it the nickname Coaching Capital of India.