A Devastating Loss in Kota
The day of the NEET-UG 2025 exam, a 19-year-old aspirant from Uttar Pradesh was found dead in his Kota hostel room, marking a heart-wrenching tragedy in India’s coaching hub. The student, who had been preparing for the medical entrance exam for over a year, was discovered hanging by his roommate in the Vigyan Nagar area, hours before the test. This incident, the 14th suspected suicide among Kota’s coaching students in 2025, has deepened concerns about the relentless pressure faced by young aspirants.
Details of the TragedyPolice reports indicate the student, enrolled in a prominent coaching institute, showed no overt signs of distress in the days leading up to the exam. No suicide note was found, leaving authorities to investigate potential triggers, including academic stress or personal struggles. The student’s family, informed by the hostel warden, described him as dedicated but increasingly anxious about his performance. The case, registered as an unnatural death, is under scrutiny, with police reviewing the student’s call records and counseling sessions to piece together his mental state.
Kota’s Mental Health CrisisKota, home to over 200,000 coaching students annually, has long grappled with a mental health crisis. The intense competition, grueling schedules, and high parental expectations create a pressure cooker environment. In 2024, 26 students died by suicide in Kota, prompting measures like mandatory counseling and distress helplines. However, the persistence of such tragedies highlights gaps in implementation. The latest incident has renewed calls for stricter regulations on coaching institutes and better mental health infrastructure, including on-site psychologists and stress management workshops.
A Call for Systemic ChangeRajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar expressed grief, announcing a review of the coaching center's compliance with mental health guidelines. Activists and educators urge a broader overhaul, advocating for reduced academic pressure and alternative career pathways. As Kota mourns yet another loss, the tragedy underscores the urgent need to prioritize student well-being, ensuring that the pursuit of dreams does not come at the cost of young lives.
