Incident Details
1. Bhumeja Rajput, Kota, Rajasthan (May 3, 2025)
A 17-year-old NEET-UG aspirant, Bhumeja Rajput from Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide in her room in Kota's Parshavnath area on Saturday night, May 3, 2025, hours before the NEET-UG exam on May 4, 2025. She was found hanging using a chunni (scarf) in her room, where she lived with her parents and younger brother while attending a prominent coaching institute.
No suicide note was found, and the reasons for her decision remain unclear. Arvind Bhardwaj, Station House Officer (SHO) at Kunhadi police station, stated, "The student hanged herself the night before the NEET exam. Police are investigating to determine the cause." Her father told Deccan Herald that Bhumeja showed "no signs of depression or anxiety," making the tragedy particularly shocking. The body was sent for postmortem, and the investigation is ongoing.
2. Three Students in Hyderabad, Telangana (May 4–5, 2025)
Three NEET aspirants in Hyderabad, Telangana, died by suicide over the past two days, reportedly due to fear of failing the NEET-UG exam conducted on May 4, 2025. According to NDTV, two students, both from Telangana, took their lives between May 4 and May 5, with fear of exam failure cited as the primary reason.
A third student, also from Hyderabad, died by suicide on May 5, 2025, as reported by The Times of India. Limited details are available about the identities or specific circumstances of these students, but police investigations point to exam-related stress as a common factor. No suicide notes were mentioned in the reports, and the cases are under investigation by local authorities.
Context of Student Suicides
These four deaths bring the total number of reported student suicides in Kota to 14 in 2025, with one additional case in Jodhpur, according to Hindustan Times. Kota, known as India's "coaching capital," hosts thousands of students preparing for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. The city reported 17 student suicides in 2024 and 26 in 2023, reflecting a persistent crisis. The intense academic pressure, coupled with the isolation of living away from home, has been repeatedly linked to these tragedies.
The NEET-UG exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of India's most competitive tests, with over 2 million students vying for limited medical seats annually. The high stakes and rigorous preparation, often spanning years, exacerbate stress levels, particularly in coaching hubs like Kota and urban centers like Hyderabad.
Social Media Reactions
Posts by @ndtv and @timesofindia on May 6, 2025, highlighted the Telangana cases, amplifying public concern about the increasing number of student suicides related to competitive exams.
Broader Implications and Government Response
The recurring suicides have intensified scrutiny of the coaching industry and the mental health support available to students. On March 19, 2025, the Rajasthan government introduced the Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025, to regulate coaching institutes and address student mental health. The bill removed a proposed 16-year age limit for enrollment and made aptitude tests voluntary but has been criticized for not mandating comprehensive mental health programs.
In Telangana, opposition leaders have questioned the state government's failure to address NEET-related stress, with some citing unfulfilled promises to mitigate exam pressure. The Times of India reported that the Hyderabad cases have renewed demands for abolishing NEET or reforming its structure to reduce stress.
Calls for Action
Mental health advocates are urging immediate interventions, including mandatory counseling, stress management workshops, and greater parental awareness. Suicide prevention helplines have been promoted, such as Sumaitri (Delhi) at 011-23389090, Sneha Foundation (Chennai) at 044-24640050, and Aasra (Mumbai) at 022-27546669. Experts emphasize the need for coaching institutes to integrate mental health resources and for governments to address the systemic pressures of competitive exams.
AajTak, reporting on the Kota incident, noted that the absence of a suicide note complicates understanding Bhumeja's motivations, but the two years of intense NEET preparation likely contributed. The outlet called for increased mental health awareness and support systems.
Conclusion
The suicides of Bhumeja Rajput and three unnamed students in Hyderabad over the past two days underscore the urgent need to address the mental health crisis among NEET aspirants. As India grapples with these preventable tragedies, stakeholders—including governments, coaching institutes, and families—must prioritize mental health support and systemic reforms to alleviate the crushing pressure on students.
The loss of these young lives is a call to action for a more compassionate and supportive educational environment.
Sources
- The Times of India, "Day before NEET, aspirant dies by suicide," May 5, 2025.
- Deccan Herald, "Kota NEET Tragedy: Aspirant Dies by Suicide, Father Says 'No Signs of Depression'," May 4, 2025.
- Hindustan Times, "14 cases of student suicides reported from Kota so far in 2025," May 4, 2025.
- AajTak, "कोटा में फंदे से झूली छात्रा, दो सालों की तैयारी के बाद आज देना था NEET का एग्जाम," May 4, 2025.
- NDTV, "2 NEET Students From Telangana Die By Suicide Over Fear Of Failing," May 6, 2025.
- The Times of India, "2 NEET aspirants from Telangana die by suicide, feared exam failure," May 6, 2025.
- ANI, X Post, May 4, 2025.
- @thenewleam, X Post, May 5, 2025.
- @AkshayKSamal, X Post, April 29, 2025.
- @DaharwalK, X Post, May 4, 2025.
- @careers360, X Post, May 4, 2025.
- @TheAnuragTyagi, X Post, May 5, 2025.
