Another NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide in Uttar Pradesh Amid Mounting Exam Stress

Lucknow: Another NEET candidate has died by suicide, this time in Uttar Pradesh. The deceased has been identified as Chanchal Bharti (19) of Chauparia Kanchanpur. Police said Chanchal had been under stress after appearing for the medical entrance examination. Her family said she had been distressed after taking the NEET re-test held on Sunday. She was later found unconscious at home and rushed to the district hospital, where her death was confirmed.

Police said a NEET question booklet bearing a note that read "I couldn't do anything" was recovered from the scene, which will be sent for forensic and handwriting examination. Chanchal's father works as a tailor, and the family had prioritised their children's education despite financial difficulties. Family members described her as a bright student in whom they had placed great hope. The body has been kept at the hospital for post-mortem, and police said further investigation into the case is under way.

The original NEET exam, held on May 3, had been cancelled following a question paper leak. The exam-related stress has triggered several suicides across the country, with the toll now standing at 13 since the cancellation in May. The lapses by the central agency in conducting the examination have sparked nationwide protests, drawing sharp criticism from various student organisations and political parties. The satirical political collective Cockroach Janta Party continues its protest in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

(Suicide is not the answer to any problem. Please reach out to a mental health professional and know that support is available. You can call the 'Disha' helpline (toll-free): 1056, 0471-2552056.)