Kalaburagi: Bhagyashree, 18, of Kalaburagi in Karnataka, reportedly committed suicide days after taking the NEET-UG 2026 exam — a test the National Testing Agency later cancelled amid allegations of paper leak.
Her father, Rajashekhar, told reporters that she had performed well in her first NEET attempt and he could not pinpoint what may have driven her to take the extreme step, as reported by Hindustan Times. “There was no distress or problem in our family, and we were living happily,” he said.
Family’s Shock
Rajashekhar said Bhagyashree had passed the PUC exam with 92 per cent marks, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board having released the 2nd PUC results in April. He said he did not know if anything about reappearing for NEET weighed on her mind.
“She had performed well (in NEET), everything was going well. Maybe she had some feelings in her mind about writing it (NEET) again. I do not blame anyone, I do not accuse anyone. We do not know her pain or suffering. What can I say?” he told reporters.
The NEET-UG exam held on May 3 was cancelled after officials confirmed a paper leak, and the education ministry has fixed a re-exam for June 21. Authorities have promised full refunds of exam fees and allowances such as an extra 15 minutes for exam formalities, but many students say they remain anxious — unsure whether their earlier performance can be replicated and unsettled by the abrupt disruption.
Police said Bhagyashree did not leave a note. PTI quoted a police source saying a case has been registered at Station Bazaar police station in connection with the death.
Worrying Pattern
Her death follows other reported suicides after the NEET cancellation. In Sikar, Rajasthan, a candidate who was expected to score about 650 died by suicide after the exam was called off. In Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, another aspirant — reportedly confident of clearing NEET on his third try — also took his life; no note was found and family members linked the death to stress after the cancellation.
