Kota Student Suicides Escalate with Two Deaths in 48 Hours
Student suicides in Kota, Rajasthan, remain a serious worry. This city is a major hub for coaching centers preparing students for competitive and technical institution entrance exams. Tragically, the problem has worsened this week, with two students suspected of taking their own lives within just 48 hours. Both recent deaths involved students preparing for the NEET medical entrance test. These incidents bring the city's student suicide count to 13 since January 2025. This highlights the extreme pressure young people face in this competitive academic setting.
Recent Tragedies
The quick succession of deaths underscores the ongoing crisis:
- Monday Night Incident: A 16-year-old student, originally from Katihar, Bihar, was found deceased in his hostel room in the Talwandi area late Monday night (April 28th). Police reported he was found hanging from the ceiling fan after failing to respond to open the door. He had arrived in Kota only 20 days earlier to begin NEET coaching. No suicide note was recovered, and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.
- Thursday Morning Incident: The body of Roshan Sharma, a 23-year-old NEET aspirant from Delhi, was discovered in bushes in Kota's Benchmark area on Thursday morning (April 30th). Preliminary police findings suggest death by consuming poison. While no note was found at the scene, police contacted his family using his recovered mobile phone. Family members reportedly told police that Sharma was stressed about the upcoming NEET exam (scheduled May 4th) and had expressed intentions to end his life rather than take the test or return home.
A Continuous Challenge
These two deaths represent the 12th and 13th suspected student suicides in Kota this year, continuing a deeply worrying pattern. The city recorded 17 such deaths among coaching students in 2024 and 26 in 2023. This pattern of deaths shows the huge pressure and mental health problems students face. Many are young, away from home, and competing fiercely.
The loss of two more young lives in Kota within just 48 hours is a stark indicator that the student suicide crisis persists despite previous interventions. These tragic events reinforce the urgent need for effective support systems and mental health resources to address the immense pressures faced by students in the city's demanding coaching culture. Finding ways to protect the well-being of these young aspirants remains a critical challenge.
