Another Student Suicide in Kota Highlights Growing Stress Among Aspirants
Kota, Rajasthan’s renowned coaching hub, has witnessed yet another tragic incident, as a 20-year-old student preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) died by suicide in his rented accommodation on Wednesday. This marks the second such incident in just 24 hours, underscoring the relentless pressure on aspirants.
Kota, Rajasthan: A coaching student in the Vigyan Nagar police station area of Kota committed suicide. The 20-year-old from Guna in Madhya Pradesh had been living in Kota for 9 months preparing for the JEE Advanced exam.
Mukesh Meena (Station Officer, Vigyan Nagar) says, “We… pic.twitter.com/MT1uJpmrcY
— IANS (@ians_india) January 9, 2025
#WATCH | Kota, Rajasthan | On a student’s alleged suicide in Kota, SHO Budhram Choudhary says, “The student is from Mahendragarh, Haryana. Last night at 10 we got the information that he had committed suicide in the hostel… The police reached the spot and shifted the body to… pic.twitter.com/ohSYfVqdlV
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) January 8, 2025
Abhishek Lodha, a resident of Guna, Madhya Pradesh, left a note that conveyed his struggles with the rigorous preparation for the JEE, a gateway to India’s top engineering colleges. In the note, Lodha stated, “I’m unable to study. I am preparing for the JEE exams, but it’s beyond me. Sorry.”
A Promising Student Succumbs to Pressure
Lodha had arrived in Kota in May 2023, motivated by his academic aspirations and his own insistence on joining the city’s coaching ecosystem. According to his elder brother Ajay, Lodha had been a good student and had shown determination in pursuing his goals. Family members reported that he communicated with them daily but never revealed any signs of distress.
“He always said everything was good and going well. The last time we spoke to him was the evening before the incident,” shared his uncle, who traveled to Kota to collect Lodha’s body.
Another Aspirant’s Tragic End
Just a day earlier, 19-year-old Neeraj, a JEE aspirant from Haryana’s Mahendragarh, was found hanging in his hostel room. His father, Babloo Prajapat, revealed that Neeraj had planned to return home that evening. Despite an anti-hanging device being installed in the fan, Neeraj’s death remains under investigation. “How could this happen when such a device was in place?” asked Prajapat, demanding a thorough inquiry.
Rising Concerns Over Exam-Related Stress
Kota’s reputation as the country’s coaching capital attracts thousands of students each year. However, this relentless focus on academic excellence often comes at a high cost. Mukesh Meena, in-charge of Vigyan Nagar police station, remarked, “It appears to be stress. We will write to the administration to ensure all accommodations are equipped with anti-hanging devices.”
Mental health experts and local authorities are grappling with the growing number of suicides, which highlight systemic issues in the highly competitive exam culture. Last year, Kota reported 17 student suicides, a reduction from 24 in 2023, yet the trend continues to alarm educators and parents alike.
The recent incidents have reignited conversations about mental health support, the role of coaching centers, and the need for systemic reforms. Experts emphasize the importance of regular counseling sessions, peer support, and reducing the stigma around seeking help. Parents and coaching institutions are being urged to adopt a more balanced approach to academic success and emotional well-being.
As Kota grapples with this persistent challenge, these tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the need to prioritize mental health alongside academic preparation.
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