18-year-old NEET aspirant dies by suicide in Karnataka, father says, ‘feelings about writing exam again in her mind’ | Today’s news
An 18-year-old NEET aspirant, Bhagyashree, allegedly committed suicide after hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her home in the city, her father said on Sunday, PTI reported.
According to her father, Rajashekhar, Bhagyashree was a bright student who scored 92 percent in PUC exams and did well in school.
Here’s what her father said
“There was no fear or problem in our family and we lived happily,” he said.
“She performed well (in NEET), everything went well. Maybe she had some feelings in her head that she wrote it (NEET) again. I am not blaming anyone, I am not blaming anyone. We don’t know her pain or suffering. What can I say?” Rajashekhar told reporters with tears in his eyes.
A police source told PTI that she did not write any death certificate or give any reason.
A case under the jurisdiction of Station Bazaar police station has been registered in this regard.
The NEET-UG, which was held on May 3, was canceled following allegations of question paper leakage and the NTA scheduled a re-examination on June 21.
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A similar incident was reported in Lakhimpur Kheri, where a NEET aspirant died by suicide after allegedly being confident of clearing the examination in the third attempt. No suicide note was found in this case either, although family members linked the death to stress after the exam was cancelled.
According to NCRB data, India reported 14,488 student suicides in 2024, accounting for 8.5 percent of all suicides in the country. This figure reflects a 4.3 percent increase compared to 2023, when 13,892 such cases were recorded, and a sharp increase of 65 percent over the past decade.
The data also showed that the crisis continues to strongly affect young people, with student suicides rising even as the country’s overall suicide rate remains relatively stable.
Help is available!
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available. Students can seek support through free mental health and counseling helplines.
- Kiran Mental Health Helpline: 24×7 Support: 1800-599-0019
- AASRA Suicide Prevention Helpline: 9820466726
- Sneha Foundation: Emotional Support Helpline: 044-24640050
- iCALL by TISS: Mental Health Counseling Services for Students and Individuals.
- District Mental Health Program (DMHP) clinics are available in district hospitals and government medical colleges across India for face-to-face counseling and treatment.
Read also | Why emotional ease is the key to better mental health
NEET 2026 Paper Case: What’s Latest?
A Delhi court on Sunday sent accused Shubham Khairnar to judicial custody till June 6 in connection with the NEET paper leak case.
Special Judge Ruchi Aggarwal approved the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) request for Khairnar’s judicial custody.
Earlier on May 14, the court sent Khairnar along with four other accused to seven-day CBI custody, saying the charges point to the involvement of an “organized gang” involved in leaking and distributing confidential investigation documents for financial gain.
The CBI has so far arrested 10 accused in the case.
Read also | Parliamentary panel members grill NTA top brass over NEET paper ‘leak’
The NEET (UG) 2026 examination for admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges, which was held on May 3, was canceled two days later due to allegations of a paper leak.
We do not know her pain or suffering. what to say to that?
The government has asked the CBI to conduct a comprehensive probe into the “irregularities”.
(With input from agencies)
Key things
- The rise in student suicides points to a mental health crisis exacerbated by academic pressure.
- The cancellation of the NEET exam increased the stress among the students, leading to tragic consequences.
- Mental health education and support systems among students are critically needed.
