The ongoing crisis surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination has taken a devastating turn as a string of student suicides has been reported across the country. In the latest tragedy, a medical aspirant preparing in Rajasthan’s coaching hub of Sikar allegedly died by suicide, with his family attributing the extreme step to acute distress over the sudden cancellation of the entrance test.
Confidence Shattered by Exam Cancellation
The victim, identified as 24-year-old Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu. He had been staying in Sikar with his two sisters for the past three years, undergoing rigorous preparation at a private coaching institute.
According to Udyog Nagar Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Kumar, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon while his younger sister was attending coaching classes and his elder sister was temporarily away in the bathroom. Upon returning, she discovered Pradeep hanging from a ceiling fan. Despite immediate efforts by his sister, landlord, and the police to rush him to SK Hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Pradeep’s father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told investigators that his son had performed exceptionally well in the May 3 exam and was confidently tracking a score of around 650 out of 720 marks—a total highly likely to secure a coveted government medical seat. The family stated that the sudden cancellation of the exam left Pradeep entirely distressed and pushed him into a severe state of depression regarding his academic future.
National Re-Exam Scheduled Amid Paper Leak Row
The tragedy unfolds against a backdrop of national outrage. The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam earlier this week following systemic allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, impacting over 22 lakh students nationwide.
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New Exam Date: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Friday that a mandatory re-examination will be conducted on June 21, 2026.
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Structural Changes: The ministry also announced that to prevent physical paper leaks, the national medical entrance test will permanently transition to a computer-based format starting next year.
A Growing Crisis: Nationwide Incidents Reported
The immense psychological toll of the exam’s cancellation and subsequent uncertainty has triggered similar heartbreaking incidents across multiple states over the last 48 hours:
| Region | Victim Details & Context |
| Sikar, Rajasthan | Pradeep Meghwal: Expecting ~650 marks; family states the cancellation and future uncertainty led to severe depression. |
| Lakhimpur Kheri, UP | Ritik Mishra (21): Died by suicide on Thursday. Family stated he was highly confident in this third attempt but shattered by the leak controversy. |
| Azadpur, Delhi | 20-year-old Aspirant: Found dead at her residence. Police are investigating the exact trigger; no suicide note was recovered. |
| Margao, South Goa | 17-year-old Aspirant: Left a note citing extreme academic stress and the agonizing struggle to balance competitive exam pressure with his personal passion for hockey. |
Political Leaders Demand Accountability
Expressing deep grief over the loss of young lives, former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot stated that the paper leak and subsequent cancellations have triggered a catastrophic wave of anxiety among student communities.
“The suicide of Pradeep… is extremely heartbreaking,” Pilot wrote in a statement on X. “Similarly, reports of students’ suicides following incidents related to the NEET 2026 paper leak from Goa and Uttar Pradesh are deeply disturbing. I extend my deepest condolences to the grieving families.”
Emergency Support Helpline: If you or someone you know is struggling with academic stress, anxiety, or depression, please reach out for professional help. You can contact the national mental health helpline KIRAN at 1800-599-0019 or independent student support helplines like Tele-MANAS (14416) for free, confidential round-the-clock counseling.
