Kota Coaching Crisis: Another NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide

Kota Coaching Crisis: The suicide epidemic in Kota continues to raise serious concerns. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant, Ankush Meena, was found hanging in his PG room in Pratap Nagar, Kota.

He was a resident of Sawai Madhopur and had been preparing for NEET for 1.5 years.
His cousin discovered the body, following which the police were alerted.
No suicide note was found, and initial investigations suggest a personal issue as a possible cause.

7th Student Suicide in 42 Days: A Growing Concern

Kota, known as India’s biggest coaching hub, has been witnessing a rise in student suicides.
In January alone, 6 students died by suicide—5 JEE and 1 NEET aspirant.
In 2024, 17 students died by suicide in Kota due to mental stress and academic pressure.

Recent Student Suicides in Kota

Date    Student Name (or Origin)    Exam Preparing For    Location
Jan 7    Neeraj Jat (Mahendragarh, Haryana)    JEE    Hostel
Jan 8    Abhishek (Guna, MP)    JEE    PG Room
Jan 16    Abhijeet Giri (Odisha)    JEE    Hostel
Jan 17    Unknown (Bundi, Rajasthan)    JEE    PG Room
Jan 22    Student from Ahmedabad    NEET    PG Room

The alarming rate of student suicides in Kota has put pressure on coaching institutes, parents, and local authorities to take immediate action.

What Is Causing the Mental Pressure?

Extreme academic competition
Long study hours with little recreational time
Parental pressure and expectations
Isolation and lack of emotional support
Experts say the lack of mental health awareness and high expectations push students to extreme distress, making them vulnerable to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Steps Needed to Prevent Student Suicides in Kota

Mental health support: Coaching institutes must introduce regular counseling sessions.
Academic flexibility: Reducing the pressure of tests and introducing stress-relief activities.
Parental awareness: Parents should avoid unrealistic expectations and prioritize their child’s well-being over ranks.
Helpline & Crisis Support: Strengthening helplines like 1930 and ensuring quick intervention.

The rising suicide cases in Kota highlight the urgent need for reforms in coaching institutes and better emotional support systems for students.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Kota’s Coaching Industry

The dream of clearing JEE/NEET should not come at the cost of a student’s life. It's time for coaching institutes, parents, and policymakers to prioritize student mental health over academic achievements.