Student suicides jumped 80% in ten years; over 2,000 die by suicide every year due to exam failures
The Hindu reports on rising student suicide rates in India, which have increased by 80% over the last decade. The article highlights growing public and political unrest regarding systemic failures in the education system, specifically citing the NEET exam controversy.
Why it matters
The report underscores a critical mental health and systemic crisis within India's competitive education sector that has sparked significant national political protest.
With the protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party and different student groups demanding Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET paper leaks and student suicides capturing the nation’s attention, data paints a stark picture. The numbers emphasise the need to take the pressures faced by Indian students seriously.
More than a dozen students died by suicide in the weeks following the cancellation. This triggered activist Sonam Wangchuk’s fast and student protests in Delhi, demanding accountability. The protests reflected the anger over repeated cases of paper leaks and other systemic failures affecting students.
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