A medical student jumped into a well and died, reportedly because the compulsory NEET exam, required before entering the medical profession, was difficult.

An 18-year-old medical college aspirant named Sushil Dhage, a resident of Hingoli in Maharashtra, India, committed suicide by jumping into a well on Wednesday. The primary reason for this tragic incident was his feeling that the NEET (UG) re-examination held on June 21 was extremely difficult.

His intense anxiety regarding the examination was also mentioned in the complaint filed by his family members with the police.

Before taking his own life, the student recorded a 33-second emotional video on his mobile phone, in which he is seen with folded hands, weeping and apologizing to his mother. Stating that he was in immense pain and couldn't understand anything, he expressed that he would be born from her womb in the next life too and would not cause her such pain again. He further requested his mother to forgive him and to take care of her health along with his brother, Sumedh.

The highly competitive NEET examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for medical admissions, was initially held on May 3 but was cancelled on May 12 due to allegations of the question paper being leaked prematurely. Following CBI investigations into the paper leak incident, several individuals, including a chemistry lecturer from Pune considered the main suspect, were arrested. With over 2.3 million students registered for approximately 100,000 medical college seats across India this year, this examination has become one that places students under immense pressure.

It is reported that approximately 12 NEET aspirants across India committed suicide in the 37-day period between the cancellation of the first examination and the re-examination on June 21. Furthermore, 93 suicides related to this examination have occurred between 2021 and 2026, with the highest annual number being 32 deaths recorded in 2025. Investigators point out that the intense mental pressure and uncertainty caused by the cancellation of the exam and the need to face such a crucial examination for a second time are the main reasons for these deaths, which has once again highlighted the need for proper mental health support and counseling for students preparing for competitive examinations.