NEET paper leak claims life, Madhya Pradesh student who fears re-exam dies by suicide: ‘Don’t dare…’ | Today’s news

The NEET paper leak fiasco had far-reaching implications far beyond the administrative hurdles involved in holding a retest. On May 12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that it will hold a retest of this national medical entrance exam. However, the development came as a stressful news for the National Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant from Madhya Pradesh who was expecting around 650 marks in the competitive exam, NDTV reported.

The grueling exam and the pressure that came with it was very intense for Akanksha Chaturvedi as she decided to take her own life rather than appear for the resit exam. The NEET aspirant, who hailed from a humble family from Mauganj district, died by suicide after allegedly falling into depression. After the NTA announced that it was canceling the entrance medical, Akanksha Chaturvedi went into depression.

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An aspiring doctor reportedly left behind a suicide note, giving us an insight into the state of her mental health after the NEET exam was canceled amid the paper leak fiasco. On May 15, the NTA announced June 21 (Sunday) as the retest date. However, another long month of waiting, uncertainty and another NEET attempt created restlessness and mental tension that was hard for Akanksha to bear as she decided to take her own life as she “didn’t have the guts” to appear for the test again, as her suicide report revealed.

She was one of the 22.05 lakh students who appeared for the NEET-UG exams on May 3 this year. “Mom Dad, you believed your daughter would study and become a doctor. But I don’t have the guts to take NEET again. I have destroyed you both,” her suicide note said.

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Sharing her fears of uncertainty, she wrote: “There is no guarantee that I will function well if I re-examine.”

According to her family, Akanksha became deeply upset as a result of the NEET controversy. Her family members indicated that the 18-year-old medical aspirant had been under emotional stress in the weeks before her death. Speaking to this publication, Akanksha’s uncle, Jagdish Prasad Chaturvedi revealed that Akanksha was confident of clearing the exam and securing admission in the prestigious institution and had faith in her attempt and performance in the NEET UG exam.

Recalling the significant change in Akanksha’s behaviour, Jagdish Prasad Chaturvedi said, “She was extremely happy after the exam and told us that she was expecting more than 650 marks,” adding, “But when news of the paper leak started coming out, she went into deep shock. She stopped eating, stopped talking a lot and remained distraught. We never imagined it would end this way.”

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Akanksha, a farmer’s daughter, managed to appear for the crucial exam after sailing through a series of financial hurdles. Meanwhile, Akanksh’s family pinned hopes on her medical career and reportedly took a loan ₹3 lakh through a Kisan credit card to fund her coaching in Nagpur. Her father, Krishna Kumar Chaubey, began working odd jobs in Nagpur, even as a cook, to finance household expenses and coaching fees.

Rahul Gandhi reacts to the suicide case of NEET aspirants

Reacting to the suicide case of NEET aspirants, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X, claiming that Akanksha’s death was the result of a corrupt system.

“Father did everything humanly possible. Then the NEET papers were leaked. The investigation was called off. Amidst this uncertainty, Akanksha left us forever. Akanksha’s death was not suicide – it is the result of a corrupt, broken system under Modi ji,” the post read.

He pointed the finger at Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and blamed the education system, adding: “Modi ji, power is not permanent – it comes and goes. But to the extent you have destroyed the education system in 12 years, the entire young generation of India is paying for it.”