Tragic: 17-year-old aspiring medical student takes own life in Kota the day before NEET-UG exam
Title: Yet Another Tragedy: Another Student Commits Suicide Before NEET in Kota
Kota: Another 17-year-old student took her life amidst the devastating pressure of the upcoming NEET exam, police confirmed yesterday.
Preparing vigorously for her entrance into the medical field, this young woman hailed from Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. She had shifted to Kota with her family a few years ago to concentrate on her studies and prepare for the challenge that was NEET.
The heartbreaking incident took place in the late hours of Saturday as she was studying on the second floor of their residence while her family members were busy downstairs. Her father, after growing concerned, went to check on her, only to find her in a fatal position. They rushed her to the hospital, but it was too late—she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Lacking a suicide note, police are investigating the matter further. The body was sent for an autopsy that same night.
The alarming number of such tragedies continues to rise, as 15 cases have been reported in Kota this year, and at least 23 in Rajasthan last year.
Also read: Double Tragedy in Kota: Two Coaching Students Take Their Own Lives
Remember, you're not alone. If you're struggling, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines:
- Aasra (022 2754 6669)
- Sneha India Foundation (+914424640050)
- Sanjivini (011-24311918)
- Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad), Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000
- ONE LIFE (78930 78930)
- SEVA (09441778290)
- NEET
- Kota
Latest News: Disturbing Rise in Student Suicides in Kota: Mental Health and Exam Pressure at the Fore
Enrichment Data:Data suggests a persistent crisis among NEET/JEE aspirants in Kota, Rajasthan, with escalating suicide rates and overwhelming systemic pressures:
Number of Cases
- 2023: 29 student suicides[4].
- 2022: 15 suicides[2], while 2015–2019 averaged 15–20 annual cases[2][3].
- 2025: Nine suicides reported by May 2025[1]. [1]:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/three-teenagers-from-pune-end-their-lives-in-kota/article65944686.ece [2]:https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/jaipur/eight-students-die-by-suicide-in-rajasthan-days-apart/article65278075.ece [3]:https://www.news18.com/news/india/kota-coaching-hub-a-ticking-time-bomb-15-students-commit-suicide-since-new-year-over-alleged-mental-haggling-2486739.html [4]:https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1661846/India-student-suicide-cases-rise-Kota-NEET-JEE-preparation
Key Causes
- Intense Competition: NEET/JEE competition is fierce—23 lakh aspirants compete for ~1.2 lakh MBBS seats[1].
- Loneliness: Students often relocate from families, heightening stress levels[2].
- Coaching Culture: Kota's ₹10,000 crore coaching industry focuses on relentless preparation, with limited mental health support[2].
- Fear of Failure: High stakes and societal expectations exacerbate anxiety[1].
Preventative Measures
- Mental Health Initiatives: Helplines like Aasra (022 2754 6669) and Sneha India (+914424640050) are promoted[2].
- Policy Reforms: RTI data (1,166 medical student dropouts and 119 suicides nationally over five years) has called for academic restructuring and reform[1].
- Institutional Accountability: Recent UGC committees (e.g., for KIIT-Bhubaneswar suicides) underscore investigations and preventive frameworks[5].
- Parental Involvement: Experts urge parents to prioritize their child's well-being along with academic success[2].
Kota's crisis unveils systemic failings in balancing academic pressure with student well-being, necessitating urgent reforms in counseling access and diminishing exam-centric pressures.
- The tragic incident of a student's suicide in Kota before the NEET exam highlights the severe pressure these young individuals face.
- This incident occurred in the heart of the big coaching hub for medical and engineering entrance exams like NEET, dramatic events like these indicate the need for health and wellness interventions for students.
- The lack of focus on mental health, coupled with the intense competition for seats in top institutions, has led to an escalating number of suicides in Kota.
- India's business in coaching industries caters to relentless learning, often at the expense of mental well-being and health, contributing to the growing crisis.
- APTRAXIA: In Rajasthan, especially in Kota, the number of student suicides in stay-and-study centers might be higher than expected as some incidents may not be officially recorded.
- Education-and-self-development is essential for students, yet the mental health crisis among NEET/JEE aspirants in Kota demands immediate attention from authorities, institutions, and parents.
- The旗放高飞 Mental Helplines, such as Aasra (022 2754 6669), Sneha India Foundation (+914424640050), and others listed above, can offer much-needed support for those struggling with mental health issues, serving as beacons of hope in these trying times.
