by: Adv Kausar Hassan
India is facing an alarming crisis that demands pressing attention the growing rate of student suicides. Despite the nation’s hasty educational growth and its reputation for producing some of the world’s brightest minds, an underlying, threatening issue aggravates many of these young minds are succumbing to the overwhelming pressure and choosing to end their lives. The corridors of education in India have long been heralded as pathways to success and upward mobility. Yet, beneath this glossy coating lies a darker truth, a crisis that has seen alarming numbers of students surrendering to mental anguish student suicides. Recent events in education hubs like Kota, Rajasthan, bring this tragedy to the forefront once more, demanding urgent introspection and reform. In August 2024, two young students in Kota took their lives within a span of 24 hours, their deaths sparking outrage and grief across the nation. This tragic episode, coupled with other cases of student suicides across the country, paints a grim picture of the pressures young learners face today. The academic burden, expectations from families, fear of failure, and lack of adequate emotional support systems have woven a tangled web from which many see no escape.
Recent reports have cast a harsh light on the dire state of student well-being, particularly in educational hubs like Kota, Rajasthan, which has tragically become synonymous with student suicides. Renowned for its coaching institutes, Kota sees thousands of students every year, all chasing the dream of cracking national-level competitive exams. But the relentless grind, the mounting expectations, and the fear of failure have turned this city into a pressure cooker for its young aspirants.
Between 2015 and 2023, over 150 student suicides were reported in Kota alone. The death toll continues to rise, with several recent cases renewing debates over the country’s education system. These tragedies, however, are not confined to one city; they are a national crisis, spanning both urban and rural India. As of 2023, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed that student suicides contribute significantly to the overall suicide rates in India, with around 13,000 students taking their lives annually.
The root of Despair: The primary drivers behind student suicides are multifaceted, reflecting the intersection of societal, familial, and institutional pressures. Among the most significant are:
Academic pressure: The Indian education system places an overwhelming emphasis on high-stakes exams, often reducing students to mere numbers on a scorecard. This obsession with grades and rankings leaves little room for holistic development and personal growth, resulting in stress, anxiety, and depression among students.
Parental Expectations: In a culture that equates academic success with societal status and future prosperity, parents often impose unrealistic expectations on their children. The fear of disappointing one’s family can push students to extreme measures, feeling they have no choice but to meet these standards.
Isolation and Mental Health Stigma: Mental health issues in India remain cloaked in taboo. Students grappling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts often face stigma when seeking help. Many feel isolated and unable to confide in their peers or families. The lack of mental health resources in schools and colleges exacerbates the problem, leaving students to struggle in silence.
Competitive Environment: India’s education system promotes ruthless competition, with limited seats in leading institutions, whether for engineering, law, medical, or other fields. This hyper-competitive environment fosters unhealthy comparisons, which can lead to a sense of worthlessness and failure in students who fall short.
Kota: A Case in Point
The city of Kota, Rajasthan, has become the epicenter of this crisis. Students as young as 15 enroll in coaching centers, leaving behind their homes and families to prepare for exams like JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). Many live in cramped hostels with little emotional or psychological support, shouldering the weight of their own aspirations as well as those of their families.
In recent years, despite the introduction of mental health initiatives and counseling services, the rate of suicides in Kota continues to rise. A troubling aspect of these deaths is the seeming predictability — an annual surge in suicides, particularly before and after major exams. The system in place to “help” these students is failing them at a fundamental level.
Breaking the Silence: The Way Forward
The first step in addressing student suicides is acknowledging the gravity of the issue. Suicide is not merely a personal failure but a societal one. To save our youth, it is crucial to implement systemic changes.
Mental Health Education: Integrating mental health education into school curricula is vital. Students should be taught to recognize signs of stress and anxiety and should be provided with resources to seek help without fear of judgment.
Parental Counseling: Educating parents about the harmful effects of extreme academic pressure and the importance of emotional support can significantly reduce the burden on students.
Redefining Success: Society’s narrow definition of success, rooted in academic and professional achievements, needs to be expanded. We must celebrate diverse talents and encourage students to pursue their passions, not just secure high scores.
Accessible Counseling Services: Schools and universities must prioritize accessible mental health services. Trained counselors, who can provide students with a safe space to discuss their challenges, should be a fixture in every educational institution.
Policy Reforms: The government needs to step in with robust policy reforms to regulate coaching centers, reduce the exam-centric culture, and prioritize student well-being over mere academic results. Student suicides in India serve as a poignant reminder of the immense pressure placed on young minds.
It is crucial for society to recognize that academic success should not come at the cost of mental well-being. Reforms in education, coupled with a supportive environment that nurtures emotional health, are essential to prevent these tragic losses.The issue of student suicides is a multifaceted problem that requires immediate attention. By addressing the root causes academic pressure, societal expectations, and inadequate mental health support India can begin to curb the rising tide of student deaths. The tragic loss of the Amity University law student serves as a poignant reminder that no institution, no matter how elite, is immune to this crisis.
India must foster a culture of empathy, resilience, and understanding within its academic circles to ensure that no more bright futures are prematurely extinguished. Only then can we truly honor the potential of the country’s youth and secure their mental and emotional well-being.
As Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” It is time we create a system that celebrates diverse talents, fosters resilience, and nurtures the genius in every student.
Author is LL.M Scholar at Central University Of Kashmir. She can be mailed at advkausarhassan@gmail.com
Discussion about this post