The ongoing controversy over NEET across the country is no longer limited to just paper leaks or alleged irregularities in the examination. The ongoing demonstration led by CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) and student organizations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has brought this debate to a new turn. The protesters are not only demanding transparency and accountability in the examination system, but are also calling the increasing mental pressure on students a big issue. Meanwhile, a report has deepened this concern.
According to the report of Medical Dialogues, in the last five years, there have been cases of suicide of 93 students due to the pressure related to NEET. Of these, 14 cases have been registered so far in the year 2026. These figures have come to light at a time when students in many states are raising their voice regarding the examination system, increasing competition, coaching pressure and frequent controversies. Such cases which are continuously coming to light definitely indicate that mental pressure related to medical entrance examination is becoming a serious issue.
demonstration at jantar mantar
These days, students are protesting against NEET at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. CJP (Cockroach Justice Platform) and many student organizations are raising their voice on issues related to transparency, accountability and interests of students in the examination system. The protesters say that their movement is not limited to just one exam or one controversy, but is demanding reform in the entire system. Meanwhile, a report by Medical Dialogues has made this debate more serious.
- In the last 5 years, there have been cases of suicide of 93 NEET students.
- It has been claimed that 14 such cases have been registered so far in the year 2026.
- Of these, 2025 was the worst year, when 32 students lost their lives.
- Students are protesting at Jantar Mantar for examination reforms and mental health.
Which state has more cases?
Research has revealed a picture of increasing mental pressure on students regarding NEET, the country’s biggest medical entrance examination. A study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) analyzed cases reported in the media between 2018 and 2020. Talking about this study, researchers analyzed 32 student suicide cases related to NEET. Of these, 21 (65.6%) were girls and 11 (34.4%) were boys. Maximum 15 cases (46.9%) were reported from Tamil Nadu, followed by Bihar with 4 cases (12.5%).
A look at the figures (Kmatta/Moment/Getty Images)
What does the complete data say?
In the study, pressure of studies and exams was found to be the main reason in 65.6% of the cases, while in 71.9% of the cases some major life event was mentioned. Of the 18 cases reported in 2020, 14 (77.8%) were directly related to anxiety or stress related to the NEET exam. Researchers concluded that examination pressure, fear of failure and social-family expectations together are having a serious impact on the mental health of students.
The pressure of NEET exam seems to be increasing continuously. According to an analysis of media reports, there have been at least 93 cases of suicide by students due to NEET-related stress between 2021 and 2026. Of these, 2025 was the worst year, when 32 students lost their lives. At the same time, 14 cases have been reported so far in 2026, out of which 5 cases occurred after the announcement of cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 exam on May 12.
Suicide after paper leak
At some places, the report said that after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, concern about the mental health of students has increased across the country. According to the Times of India report, the number of people who committed suicide till June 20, 2026 was said to be 12, that is, in the 37 days between the cancellation of the exam and the re-exam, there were reports of death of at least 12 students. This figure is based on various media reports and is not an official government number. According to the report, 4 cases have been reported in 2021, 9 in 2022, 14 in 2023, 19 in 2024, 32 in 2025 and 14 in 2026 so far. This means that the number of such cases has increased every year in the last five years, which raises serious questions regarding the increasing pressure of exams and mental health.
How many times has paper been leaked?
NEET-UG has been in controversy in the last few years due to repeated allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. As per available records, cases of NEET-related paper leaks or allegations of leaks were reported in 2016, 2021, 2024 and 2026. Among these, the case of 2026 is considered to be the biggest, because after the alleged paper leak, NTA for the first time decided to cancel the entire NEET-UG examination and conduct the examination again.
What are the demands of the students? (Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)
What are the students demanding at Jantar Mantar?
In the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the students are not only raising questions on the controversies related to the examination, but are also demanding improvement in the entire examination system. The protesters say that the examination process should be transparent, the confidence of the students should be maintained and such a system should be created in which frequent disputes and uncertainty would end. He says that constant stress and insecurity also affects the mental health of students. Talks have definitely started between the government and the protesters, but the movement has not ended completely yet.
Why is there so much pressure regarding NEET?
NEET is India’s biggest medical entrance exam. Every year lakhs of students appear for this examination with the dream of becoming doctors, but seats in government medical colleges are limited. Many students take the exam more than once. For this, one takes coaching for years and prepares with the expectations of the family. In such a situation, fear of failure, financial burden and social comparison can increase mental stress for many students. In such a situation, due to leakage of paper, the morale of the students is completely broken.
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