Kota is no longer a coaching hub for NEET & JEE exams; Emerges as “suicide factory” as 15 students succumb to pressure

Kota, a city in Rajasthan renowned for its numerous coaching centres that prepare students for competitive exams like the IIT-JEE and NEET, has recently been in the spotlight for a deeply troubling reason: a rising number of student suicides. The city’s reputation as a leading educational hub is increasingly overshadowed by its emerging identity as a new hotspot for student suicides. Despite local authorities’ efforts to tackle the mental health challenges faced by students, the situation continues to deteriorate. This year alone, the city has witnessed at least 15 such tragedies, raising serious concerns about the mental health impact of its intense academic environment.

Kota has long been a magnet for students aiming to secure spots in prestigious engineering and medical institutions. Its coaching centers are known for their rigorous preparation programs, attracting students from across India. However, the high expectations and immense pressure associated with these programs are leading to severe mental health issues among students.

This year, the situation has become particularly alarming. A recent case highlights the gravity of the problem: Parshuram, a 21-year-old medical aspirant from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, who had recently moved to Kota for NEET preparation, died by suicide on Thursday night. The number of student suicides in Kota this year has reached 15, following a recent incident involving 21-year-old medical aspirant Parshuram. Deputy Police Superintendent Rajesh Tailor reported that Parshuram was discovered dead in his rented accommodation in Jawahar Nagar. Concerned by Parshuram’s failure to respond to knocks on his door, landlord Anoop Kumar alerted the police around 11:30 PM. Officers had to force entry into the apartment to find the body.

Known for its extensive coaching programs, Kota is facing an alarming rise in student suicides, casting a shadow over its reputation as a major educational hub.

Earlier this year, on July 4, a 16-year-old engineering aspirant was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his paying guest (PG) accommodation in Kota. This incident follows a series of similar tragic events. In June, a 17-year-old student from Bhagalpur, Bihar, who was preparing for the NEET-UG exam, tragically died by suicide. This incident follows the earlier suicide of a 20-year-old medical student, who took his own life just days before his third attempt at the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). These recent tragedies highlight the severe mental health challenges faced by students in Kota’s highly competitive academic environment.

Additional cases this year include:

• On January 23, a 19-year-old NEET student from Uttar Pradesh was found dead in Jawahar Nagar.
• On January 29, an 18-year-old JEE student from Kota also took his life, leaving a note expressing regret to his parents.
• On February 13, a 16-year-old JEE aspirant from Chhattisgarh hanged himself in his hostel room in Jawahar Nagar.
• Another 16-year-old Madhya Pradesh-based JEE aspirant who went missing for over 10 days was also found dead in Chambal forest area of Kota on February 19
• On March 8, a 16-year-old JEE student from Bihar died by suicide.

In response to the troubling rise in student suicides, Kota’s local authorities, coaching centers, and community leaders are taking concerted actions to address the crisis. The city has seen a significant increase in suicides among students preparing for competitive exams, prompting urgent measures to improve mental health support. Some coaching centers are now providing more accessible counseling services and organizing workshops focused on stress management and mental health awareness.

Additionally, new helplines and support groups have been set up to offer immediate assistance to students in distress. Public awareness campaigns are being launched to educate students, parents, and the broader community about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and provide information on available resources. Additionally, the state government and educational authorities are reviewing policies to ensure that coaching centers maintain minimum standards of mental health support and adopt practices that prioritize student welfare.

Despite these proactive measures,the intense pressure to succeed, coupled with a highly competitive environment, appears to be contributing to this tragic trend. Local leaders, including Jawahar Nagar Sub-Inspector Gopal Singh, are committed to addressing these issues, but acknowledge that a more comprehensive and sustained approach is essential to creating a supportive environment for students in Kota.