NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide Amidst Exam Cancellation Stress

Pradeep Meghwal

By: Ashok Singh Shekhawat

JAIPUR: A 22-year-old NEET aspirant from Jhunjhunu district died by suicide in Sikar Friday, with family members saying he had been under severe stress after the cancellation of the medical entrance examination following the paper leak controversy.

Police identified the deceased as Pradeep Meghwal, a resident of Gudha Godji town in Jhunjhunu, who had been preparing for NEET in Sikar for the past three years. He was staying in a rented room on Piprali Road and studying at Guru Kripa Coaching Institute.

According to police, Pradeep was found hanging in his room. He was taken to SK Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later kept in the mortuary of the govt hospital for postmortem procedures. Udyog Nagar police have begun an investigation.

Pradeep’s father, Rajesh Kumar, said his son had worked hard for three years for the medical entrance exam and had performed very well this time. “Based on the answer key, the family expected him to score more than 650 marks and believed his selection was almost certain,” said Kumar.

After the exam was cancelled, the family said, Pradeep fell into depression. Family members said Pradeep had returned to Sikar from his hometown two days before the tragedy and was living with his siblings. On Friday, while his sister had gone to bathe, he allegedly hanged himself in the room. She discovered him on returning and alerted nearby residents and relatives.

The incident has left the family devastated. “We had invested our entire savings, nearly Rs 8 to Rs 11 lakh, into his education,” Kumar said, visibly distressed. “We even postponed building our own house because we wanted to ensure a bright future for Pradeep.”

The death triggered grief and anger among locals. A large crowd gathered at the govt hospital, raising questions about the systemic pressures faced by students in the wake of exam cancellations.