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Hyderabad witnessed two tragic student suicides in just 24 hours, both suspected to be linked to exam stress.
Case 1: 17-Year-Old Intermediate Student Dies by Suicide
On Friday, March 1, Deekshit Raju, a 17-year-old second-year intermediate student from Miyapur, was found dead at his Chanda Nagar residence.
Upcoming exams: Scheduled for March 5, he was reportedly under immense stress.
Alone at home: He was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan.
Police suspect exam pressure may have played a significant role in his decision.
Case 2: BSc Student Dies by Suicide During Shivratri Break
Just a day later, on Saturday, March 2, Vaishnavi, a first-year BSc student at Sri Chaitanya College, took her own life at her Narsapur home in Medak.
Reportedly anxious about exams, she locked herself in a room and died by suicide.
The incident occurred while she was home for Shivratri celebrations.
These cases reflect the growing crisis of student mental health due to academic pressure.
Supreme Court’s Concern Over Rising Student Suicides in IITs, IIMs
The Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of the alarming number of student suicides in prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs.
- The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, called these incidents “extremely unfortunate” and vowed to create a strong mechanism to address the issue.
- Senior Advocate Indira Jaising revealed that 18 students have died by suicide in IITs and IIMs in the past 14 months.
- The court urged immediate action and assured it is committed to finding a long-term solution.
What Steps Are Being Taken?
UGC's Draft Regulations
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the court that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is formulating new regulations to address student mental health.
- These draft regulations are open for public feedback on the UGC website.
Need for Equal Opportunity Cells in Colleges
- Indira Jaising highlighted that 40% of universities and 80% of colleges still lack Equal Opportunity Cells—a key support system for students.
- The Supreme Court instructed the UGC to review feedback and welcomed inputs from petitioners.
The Bigger Picture: Exam Pressure and Student Mental Health
With rising academic expectations and competitive exams, student mental health is becoming a national crisis.
What Can Be Done?
Mental Health Awareness: Schools and colleges must introduce counseling programs.
Parental Support: Encouraging open conversations at home to reduce stress.
Helplines & Safe Spaces: Accessible support systems for students facing anxiety.
Reducing Exam Pressure: Institutions need to adopt stress-management techniques and alternative evaluation methods.
A Wake-Up Call
These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder that exam stress and academic pressure can take a severe toll on students. With the Supreme Court stepping in, there is hope for stronger policies and better mental health support in educational institutions.
