12 Students Die by Suicide in 37 Days, Ahead of NEET UG Re-Exam

The suicide of at least 12 examinees within just 37 days before the NEET UG 2026 re-examination has sparked deep concern across the country. Many students were confident about their success following the medical entrance exam held on May 3.

However, their mental well-being degenerated after the announcement that the exam would be cancelled and re-conducted due to allegations of a question paper leak. These incidents have brought to the fore not only issues surrounding a single examination, but the immense pressure essential in India's competitive education system.

The NEET UG 2026 exam was held on May 3. Following the exam, many students believed they would achieve their desired results. However, the exam was cancelled on May 12. Allegations arose that a 150-page so-called "guess paper" had circulated in the Sikar area of ​​Rajasthan prior to the test.

Investigators later uncovered a link to an interstate racket based in Latur, Maharashtra. Under these circumstances, a re-examination was announced for June 21. Yet, for many candidates, this brought renewed mental stress, uncertainty, and disappointment.

A 22-year-old Dalit youth from a village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district was so confident after his exam that he told his father, "Not even God can stop me from qualifying this time."

However, the news of a re-examination completely changed the course of his life. According to family and local sources, he was damaged by this decision. On May 18, while his sister was bathing, he took his own life. Although he was subsequently rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead.

The son of a daily-wage labourer, the young man had been living in a rented house in Sikar to prepare for the exam. Following his death, the family has demanded compensation and a government job for one of its members. They have even decided not to interest his ashes in the Ganges until their demands are met.

According to investigations and various media reports, at least 12 NEET aspirants died by suicide between the cancellation of the exam on May 12 and the re-examination on June 21; all of them were scheduled to appear for the re-test. Most concerning is that no suicide notes were found in at least five of these cases, making it even more difficult to determine the basic reasons for their mental state.

A suicide not only ends a student's life; it dives the entire family into deep crisis. Many families save for years to fund their children's coaching and send them to other cities, all while giving them dreams for their future.

Reports of multiple such incidents in Sikar, Rajasthan, known as one of the country's major coaching hubs, have alarmed local residents and parents alike. Many believe that students are being severely affected not just by exam results, but also by uncertainty and the frequent changing of rules.

I am writing about this issue because it is not only news about an examination; it is a story of the struggles faced by thousands of students regarding their mental health, family expectations, and futures. Behind every instance of suicide lies a family, a dream, and a life left unfinished. It is crucial today to understand and discuss the impact that the uncertainty surrounding a significant exam like NEET can have on young people.