19-Year-Old NEET Aspirant Dies By Suicide In Coimbatore, Fuels Fresh Debate Over NTA
A 19-year-old NEET aspirant died by suicide in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, adding to a series of deaths that have kept the debate over the national medical entrance test alive in the state. Her death sparked fresh protest against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and demands for the state to be exempted from the exam.
The student, identified by police as Anunkeerthana, had taken NEET on two earlier occasions and was preparing for another attempt. Preliminary inquiries suggest she had been under stress after learning that candidates affected by a recent question paper leak would have to sit for the examination again, according to media reports.
The incident triggered demonstrations in Coimbatore, with protesters calling for the abolition of NEET. The ruling DMK has also announced statewide protests to press its long-standing demand that Tamil Nadu be allowed to admit medical students without the national entrance test.
Tamil Nadu has opposed NEET since it was introduced, arguing that the exam benefits students who can afford expensive coaching classes, while those from rural areas, government schools and poorer families are placed at a disadvantage despite scoring well in their Class XII exams.
Before NEET became mandatory, admission to medical colleges in Tamil Nadu was based entirely on Class XII scores. Those supporting the earlier admission system say it enabled more students from underprivileged and rural backgrounds to pursue medical education.
The state Assembly had previously cleared legislation seeking an exemption from NEET. However, the proposal failed to secure presidential approval, resulting in the continuation of the entrance test in Tamil Nadu.
The incident is the latest in a series of deaths involving NEET aspirants in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a female candidate in Delhi allegedly died by suicide after appearing for the exam for the first time. Police recovered a handwritten note in which she apologised to her parents for not being able to meet their expectations.
In another case, a 23-year-old aspirant from Dehradun, who had excelled academically and was preparing for NEET, allegedly died by suicide amid reports that she was stressed over the re-examination. Investigators recovered a brief note expressing love and apology to her parents, though officials said no significant behavioural changes had been noticed prior to the incident.
