Coimbatore, Delhi, Dehradun: In the run-up to the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, at least three aspirants from Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Uttarakhand are reported to have died by suicide, with families and officials linking the tragedies to severe exam-related stress.
The incidents have reignited concerns over the mental toll on students competing for medical seats after the exam’s cancellation and the decision to hold a fresh test.
‘Too Ashamed To Face Family’
In Coimbatore’s Kovaipudur, 18-year-old Anukeerthana, a Class XI graduate from Ettimadai who had been attending a NEET coaching centre, was found unconscious at her home and later died at a private hospital.
Her father, Senthil Prabhu, is district secretary of the Tasmac trade union (CITU), as reported by Mint. Relatives said she was distraught after the earlier NEET was cancelled and a re-exam announced.
She messaged relatives on Wednesday: “I had taken the NEET exam and was waiting to join medical college, but the exam was cancelled. Now, I am afraid to take the test again. My father has spent a lot of money on me; I do not know how I can ever look him in the face again.”
Police in Kuniyamuthur registered a case, seized her mobile phone and sent her body for postmortem to the Government ESI Medical College Hospital.
Delhi Aspirant Found Dead At Home
In South-West Delhi’s Palam area, 19-year-old Renu, who had appeared for NEET on May 3, was found dead at her residence. Her father was away attending a relative’s funeral. Police said a suicide note recovered at the scene reflected her emotional distress; she apologised to her parents and wrote that she was unable to meet their expectations. The family hails from Rajasthan. Authorities are probing the circumstances surrounding her death.
Dehradun Student Leaves Note For Parents
Dehradun police said 23-year-old Ria, a college topper who scored 96.7% in Class XII, was found dead by hanging at her Chandrabani residence. A suicide note read, “Mom and Dad, I love you,” and expressed disappointment at not achieving success in studies.
Circle Officer Ankit Kandari said the incident came to light when parents found her unresponsive after she did not answer a call for breakfast.
Earlier this week, Rajasthan’s Sikar district reported the suicide of 22-year-old Umesh Mali, a NEET aspirant preparing for his third attempt.
NTA Vows Secure, Error-Free Retest
National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh has assured candidates that the re-exam will be secure and error-free, warned against fraudsters selling alleged leaked papers, and stated there was “no leaked paper for the re-exam.” He also noted the temporary suspension of Telegram until June 22 aimed to curb misinformation.
