Kota: Delhi NEET Aspirant Found Dead, Suicide Suspected
Roshan Sharma Told Family He Needed Another Year
Just days before the NEET-UG 2025 exam scheduled for May 4, Roshan Sharma, a 23-year-old NEET aspirant from Tuglakabad, Delhi, was found dead near a railway track in Kota. According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that he consumed a poisonous substance.
His father, Ranjit Sharma, sobbed outside the hospital mortuary as he waited to collect his son’s body. The devastated family revealed that Roshan had refused to return home or appear for the exam when they visited Kota on April 22.
“Our son said he wouldn’t sit for NEET this year and needed another year to prepare,” Ranjit Sharma recalled, still struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
Aspirant Scored Well But Felt Unprepared
Roshan had been preparing in Kota for the past three years, scoring 550-600 marks in regular coaching tests, according to his family. Despite his consistent scores, he reportedly told his sister that he didn’t feel fully ready and wanted an additional year to prepare for the fiercely competitive exam.
After the family left Kota, hoping he would follow them home, they repeatedly called him, urging him to reconsider. Tragically, their hopes were shattered when police recovered Roshan’s body three days later.
Investigation Underway, No Allegations Made
Circle Inspector Arvind Bhardwaj of Kunhadi police station confirmed that a case under BNSS Section 194(A) (enquiry on suicide) has been registered. The police handed over the body to the family after a post-mortem on Friday.
Importantly, the family has not made any allegations against the coaching institute or hostel authorities.
Kota’s Alarming Trend of Student Suicides
This incident marks the 12th suspected student suicide in Kota since January 2025. The city, known as India’s coaching capital, witnessed 17 student suicides last year alone.
High academic pressure, relentless competition, and personal expectations often weigh heavily on young aspirants, making mental health a critical concern.
Notably, just earlier this week, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Bihar was also found dead in his hostel room. In his suicide note, he clarified that neither family pressure nor academic preparation caused his decision, hinting at the complex mental struggles students often face.
Urgent Need for Mental Health Support
The latest incident underscores the urgent need for better mental health resources, counselling, and parental support systems for students preparing for high-stakes competitive exams like NEET.
As authorities continue investigating, the tragedy has once again turned the spotlight on Kota’s coaching industry and the mounting pressures young aspirants endure.
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