KRISHNAGIRI: A 20-year-old youth who had been preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for the past three years died by suicide at his residence in Hosur on the eve of the retest. The deceased was identified as C Vetriyanantham, the younger son of Chinnasamy, a private factory worker residing at the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) colony on Bagalur Road, Hosur.
Details of the Incident
According to police, Vetriyanantham had been preparing for the NEET exams for three consecutive years. Having faced setbacks in his previous attempts, he was under immense pressure and feared failing yet again in the exam scheduled for Sunday. On Saturday, while his father was away at work and his mother stepped out to a nearby shop, Vetriyanantham took the extreme step by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in the living room. His mother found the body upon her return and raised an alarm.
Suicide Note and Investigation
The police recovered a suicide note written by Vetriyanantham from the spot. In the emotional note addressed to his family, he expressed deep love for them, stating he was blessed to have such parents and a brother. "I haven't slept properly for the past month due to the fear of the NEET exam. I am taking this extreme step out of fear that I will fail this time as well. Amma, Appa, Anna ... I am sorry," the note read. The Hudco Police recovered the body and sent it to the Hosur Govt Hospital for a post-mortem examination. A case was registered, and a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Impact of Exam Pressure
This tragic incident highlights the intense pressure faced by medical entrance exam aspirants in India. With over 1.8 million students appearing for NEET annually, the competition is fierce, and many students experience severe stress and anxiety. According to a 2022 study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), nearly 12% of students in India suffer from exam-related anxiety, with a significant number reporting sleep disturbances and fear of failure. The suicide note explicitly mentioned sleep deprivation over the past month due to exam fear.
The Times of India has also reported on the rising trend of student suicides linked to exam stress, with over 10,000 student suicides recorded in India in 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Experts emphasize the need for mental health support and counseling for students, particularly those preparing for high-stakes exams like NEET.
