An 18-year-old, who appeared for the NEET (UG) 2026 but died by suicide after the online re-examination, has left many teams in tears and has raised concern over the matter.
The student, whose name is Sushil Dhage, had taken the medical entrance test on 21st June. The re-examination was conducted after the first NEET (UG) exam on May 3 was cancelled due to a question paper leak allegation.
Sushil had apparently made a video before dying appending it to his mobile phone, which he sent to the family. In the emotional letter, he was guilty towards his mother and sorry to have hurt her feelings. He reached out and pleaded with her to get forgiveness and not to worry about him, with his hands folded.
Sushil in video mentioned he could not bear the pain he was going through, and was confused about his condition. He additionally encouraged his mother to take care of herself and stay with a different family member Sumedh. This video has since attracted attention to the great strain placed upon students taking for highly competitive examinations.
NEET (UG) exam is one of the most competitive entrance exam for admission in Undergraduate medical courses in India. There was recently some controversy about a paper leak at an exam earlier this year so the last exam was canceled, which happens to take place in May with this year. A Pune based chemistry lecturer was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for the investigation of the case.
Three murders around the same time in Altamada are under investigation by police, including Sushil’s. This devastating incident has brought a renewed concern about mental health of the students and the exam related pressure.