NEET Aspirant Dies By Suicide In Sikar

New Delhi: A 22-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant in Rajasthan's Sikar district has died allegedly by suicide on Monday (June 15), days before the re-examination, scheduled on June 21. This is the second death of a NEET-UG aspirant in the coaching hub, Sikar, within a month.

The student, identified as Umesh, was preparing for the NEET re-examination while staying in a private residential complex in Sikar with his mother and two siblings. According to Indian Express, the now-cancelled May 2026 examination had been his third attempt.

Udyog Nagar station house officer (SHO) Rajesh Kumar told Indian Express that the police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and a letter was recovered from the room.

Police have registered a case investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. "Considering the nature of the case, the family is not in a position to talk. An inquiry will be conducted once they're in a better condition," Kumar told Indian Express.

On May 15, another student, Pradeep, who was preparing for the medical entrance re-test while living in a rented accommodation in Sikar had died by suicide. According to Indian Express, Pradeep's family participated in the youth-led outfit Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Jaipur on Monday (June 15), where his father said,"I lost my Pradeep, but there should be a strict law."

Also read: Rising Student Deaths by Suicide: What the 2024 NCRB Report Shows

The tragedies come amid growing concerns among students following the cancellation of the May 3 exam over an alleged paper leak. Students have highlighted persisting stress and anxiety, owing to looming uncertainty and the need to reattempt the strenuous examination after years of preparation.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to X to express his condolences following the incident. "The news of the suicide of 22-year-old NEET aspirant Umesh Mali in Sikar is utterly shocking. My deepest condolences go out to his grieving family," he said.

"Due to the NEET question paper leak, several students in Rajasthan, including Pradeep Meghwal this year, have taken their own lives. This is not suicide, but rather the courage of our youth crumbling in the face of the question paper leak system," the senior Congress leader wrote, "It is extremely heartbreaking that the central government remains indifferent to this agony of the country's youth."

सीकर में 22 वर्षीय नीट परीक्षार्थी उमेश माली की आत्महत्या का समाचार अत्यंत स्तब्ध करने वाला है। शोक संतप्त परिजनों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं।

नीट प्रश्नपत्र लीक के कारण इस वर्ष राजस्थान के प्रदीप मेघवाल सहित कई बच्चों ने आत्मघाती कदम उठाए हैं। यह आत्महत्या नहीं, बल्कि…

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 16, 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Kota and launch a nationwide campaign against the ongoing crisis on Wednesday (June 17). "Paper leaks, exam mismanagement, canceled recruitments, skyrocketing fees, privatisation, scams – these are the very tools with which it is shattering millions of dreams every day…That's why I'm calling on you, let’s turn the rising ‘Echo of Students’ from every street, every town, every city of the country into a battle cry in Kota," he wrote on X.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.