A 19-year-old woman preparing for the NEET examination died by suicide at her residence near Palacode in Dharmapuri district on Saturday night, just hours before the test was scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Incident Details
The deceased, identified as R Roshini of Endapatti village, had completed Class 12 last year. She was enrolled at a private coaching centre in Namakkal to prepare for the competitive medical entrance exam. However, she returned home about two months ago and had been studying independently.
According to Palacode police, Roshini's father, Ramakrishnan, 48, an employee at the Palacode Cooperative Sugarmill, returned home on Saturday evening and discovered her body in an upstairs room. Neighbours alerted the authorities after hearing his cries for help.
Family Circumstances
Police officials stated that Roshini took the step when her parents and siblings were not present at the house. The exact reason for her action has not been determined yet. Authorities have not confirmed whether exam-related stress was a contributing factor, and an investigation is currently underway.
The body has been sent to Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination.
Broader Context
This incident highlights the immense pressure faced by students preparing for high-stakes competitive exams like NEET. While the police have not linked the suicide directly to exam stress, the timing—just a day before the test—has raised concerns among educators and mental health advocates.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, student suicides in India have been on the rise, with academic pressure often cited as a key factor. In 2022, over 13,000 students died by suicide, with many cases linked to exam performance and career expectations.
