NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide in Tamil Nadu Amid Exam Pressure:

A 21-year-old student preparing for the upcoming National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) reportedly died by suicide on Friday in Tamil Nadu’s outskirts near Chennai. The student, identified as Devadharshini, had been undergoing coaching for NEET, which is scheduled for May 4, and was reportedly under stress after not clearing the exam in her previous four attempts.

According to police reports, Devadharshini had expressed her anxiety about the exam to her parents, who had attempted to reassure her. On the day of the incident, she spent time at her father's bakery before returning home. Later, her mother discovered her unresponsive at home, reports say.

Rising Suicide Cases Among NEET Aspirants in Tamil Nadu

This incident adds to a concerning trend. Over the past eight years, at least 20 NEET aspirants in Tamil Nadu have reportedly taken their own lives. Earlier this month, on March 1, another 19-year-old student from Villupuram district allegedly died by suicide due to similar fears over underperforming in the NEET exam.

Political Backlash Over NEET Continues

The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed NEET, arguing that it disadvantages economically weaker and Tamil-medium students. The ruling DMK government, led by MK Stalin, advocates for college admissions based on Class 12 results instead.

In 2021, the state assembly passed a bill seeking exemption from the national medical entrance exam.

Following Devadharshini's death, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticized the ruling DMK, accusing the party of misleading students with promises to eliminate NEET. In a statement on social media, he blamed the DMK’s failed promises for the ongoing student deaths.