A NEET-UG aspirant died by suicide after the cancellation of the exam she had already appeared for, with a handwritten note addressed to her parents found later.
A tragic incident from Madhya Pradesh has once again brought India’s exam pressure crisis into focus. Another NEET aspirant dies by suicide from Mauganj district, after slipping into depression following the cancellation of the medical entrance exam she had already appeared for.
When dreams feel too heavy to carry
The student, Akanksha Chaturvedi, was among lakhs who wrote NEET-UG on May 3. The exam was later cancelled on May 12 by the National Testing Agency after allegations of a paper leak, with a re-test announced for June 21. Family members said she had been expecting a strong score of around 650 marks and was preparing seriously for a medical career. But the sudden cancellation reportedly left her mentally distressed and uncertain about the future.
A note that left the family shattered
According to her family, Akanksha had been under emotional pressure for weeks. In a note recovered later, she wrote that she did not have the courage to attempt the exam again and felt she had disappointed her parents. Her family also shared the financial struggle behind her preparation. Her father, a farmer, took a ₹3 lakh loan through a Kisan Credit Card and worked as a cook in Nagpur to support her coaching.
More than two weeks later, while her grieving family went through her belongings in her room, they came across a handwritten note that would stay with them forever. It read: “I would have scored good marks in my first attempt, but now there is no guarantee that I will perform well again. I am sorry, Mom and Dad. I have ruined everything.”
NEET cancellation triggers political debate
The cancellation of NEET-UG amid paper leak allegations has created anxiety among many aspirants. Reports suggest confusion over re-exams and admission timelines has added to emotional strain for students across the country.
The issue has also entered political discussion. Leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, saying students are paying the price for system failures. The controversy has also placed pressure on the administration led by Narendra Modi, with calls for stronger safeguards in national exams.
Is this becoming a larger crisis
As Business Fortune observes, similar cases have been reported across states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Delhi. Reports suggest a worrying rise in NEET-related student deaths in recent years, with 93 cases over the last five years. The numbers reportedly peaked in 2025 with at least 32 deaths, and 2026 has already seen 14 cases so far. The Congress has also raised concerns, saying exam cancellations and re-exam disruptions are shaking students’ trust in the system.
This incident is likely to push authorities to make exams more secure, improve grievance handling, and strengthen mental health support for students. But beyond rules and systems, it also raises a simple question we often ignore: does the education system provide support for the emotional pressure students go through every day?!
