A paper coating composition comprising (I) a pigment, (II) an aqueous binder, and (III) a water-soluble resin obtainable by the reaction of at least (a) an alkylenediamine or a polyalkylenepolyamine, (b) an urea compound, and (c) a compound selected from aldehydes, epihalohydrins and is further improved by incorporating therein, (IV) a compound selected from the group consisting of (f) amines selected from the group consisting of monoamines, diamines and their salts each having at least 4 carbon atoms, (g) quaternary organic ammonium salts, and (h) polyamides obtainable by the reaction between a dibasic carboxylic compound and a polyamine. The water-soluble resin of the component (III) may be further allowed to react with a dibasic carboxylic compound, an alicyclic amine and/or an alicyclic epoxy compound in addition to the above three ingredients. Paper coated by using the above composition is especially excellent in ink receptivity and water resistance.