Rajasthan Tragedy: NEET Student Dies by Suicide Amid Paper Leak Controversy

A tragic incident in Rajasthan’s coaching hub of Sikar has once again brought the growing mental pressure on competitive exam aspirants into sharp focus. A young student preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) allegedly died by suicide in his rented accommodation on Friday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal , was a resident of Jhunjhunu district and had been living in Sikar’s Jaldhari Nagar area along with his two sisters for the past three years while preparing for the medical entrance examination. According to police officials, he allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using a scarf while one of his sisters was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.

The incident came just days after the NEET UG 2026 examination was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak , an issue that has triggered nationwide outrage and anxiety among lakhs of students.

Police said Pradeep had appeared for the examination and his family believed he had performed well. His father reportedly told investigators that the family was expecting him to secure nearly 650 marks , a score considered competitive for medical admissions.

Officials said the student’s elder sister discovered him hanging and immediately informed the landlord and police after bringing him down. His body was later shifted to the SK Hospital mortuary , while further investigation is underway.

The incident has reignited concerns over the intense academic pressure faced by students preparing for highly competitive entrance examinations, especially in coaching centres like Sikar and Kota , where thousands of aspirants relocate every year with dreams of securing medical and engineering seats.

Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked the tragedy to the uncertainty and emotional stress caused by repeated examination irregularities. He said recurring paper leak cases and cancellation of examinations were severely affecting students’ mental health and demanded a time-bound probe along with strict action against those responsible.

The incident has once again sparked a wider conversation around student mental health , exam reforms , and the psychological burden created by India’s fiercely competitive education system.