A series of reported suicides involving NEET aspirants has drawn attention to the mental health impact of exam uncertainty following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to a paper leak controversy. This time, it’s a 19-year-old female student, Anukeerthana, who died by suicide in Coimbatore city on Wednesday.According to reports, at least 10 students who were preparing for medical entrance examinations have died by suicide since the cancellation of NEET.Several of these cases have been linked to stress and uncertainty following the exam cancellation and subsequent re-examination schedule.In multiple instances, families and local reports have cited exam-related anxiety, pressure to perform, and distress over the cancellation and rescheduling process as contributing factors.
Reported suicides across states
Among the reported cases is Ritik Mishra, 21 from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri, who died by suicide after the NEET-UG exam cancellation. His family said he was attempting the exam for the third time.In Delhi, Anshika Pandey, 20 who had been preparing for NEET for three years, also died by suicide shortly after the cancellation.In Rajasthan, Pradeep Meghwal, 22 died by suicide in his rented accommodation after appearing for NEET-UG 2026.Other reported cases include students from Bengaluru, Nagpur, Maharashtra, and other regions. Some families and political leaders have linked these deaths to the stress created by exam disruption, while in certain cases police have noted additional personal or academic pressures.
Anukeerthana consumed poison
The latest reported case is that of a 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Coimbatore, identified as Anukeerthana of Kovaipudur, who died by suicide after consuming poison.According to police and family accounts, she had sent an emotional WhatsApp message expressing fear and anxiety over taking the NEET exam again after the cancellation. In the message, she reportedly wrote that she was afraid of facing the exam again and felt distressed about the financial burden on her family.She was taken to a hospital but died during treatment. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances.The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a paper leak, affecting lakhs of candidates who were later asked to prepare for a re-exam scheduled for June 21.
