January 17, 2025: An 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Odisha was found dead in his PG room in Kota’s Vigyan Nagar area on Wednesday evening. The student, who had come to the city to prepare for the highly competitive National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), allegedly died by suicide.

The local police arrived at the scene upon receiving information about the incident and transported the body to a nearby hospital. The deceased’s family has been informed, and the body has been placed in the hospital mortuary. A post-mortem examination will be conducted after the family arrives in Kota, authorities said.

This tragic event marks the third student suicide in Kota within 17 days, raising alarm over the mounting pressure faced by coaching students in the city. Earlier this month, two JEE aspirants also died by suicide in their PG accommodations. On January 8, a 20-year-old student, Abhishek from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, was found hanging in his room. Just a day earlier, on January 7, 19-year-old Neeraj from Haryana was discovered dead in similar circumstances.

None of the three incidents involved suicide notes, leaving families and authorities struggling to understand the underlying causes. The recurring incidents have put the spotlight on the intense academic pressure and mental health challenges faced by students preparing for competitive exams in Kota, a city known for its coaching institutes.

These events have reignited debates about the urgent need for mental health support systems in coaching hubs. Mental health professionals and educators have repeatedly emphasized the importance of counseling services and stress management programs for students, urging institutions to prioritize their well-being.

As investigations continue, the tragedies underline the pressing need for systemic changes to support students coping with the demands of highly competitive examinations.