In yet another distressing event in the education city of Kota, known for its intensive competitive exam preparation culture, an IIT-JEE aspirant was found deceased in his hostel room.
This incident marks the fourth student suicide in Kota this year, highlighting the ongoing struggle to curb such tragic occurrences despite efforts to offer support. The unfortunate event occurred the day after the announcement of the JEE Mains results.
Shubh Choudhary, a student from Jharkhand who had been preparing for the crucial exam in Kota for two years, was found after he unexpectedly scored lower than expected. The police are currently investigating his room for any leads or a possible suicide note, and the family has been informed.
An autopsy is pending their arrival. Separately, the search is on for another student who has been missing since Sunday, with efforts including the deployment of the state emergency response team and searches along the Chambal River. Kota’s high-pressure environment, aimed at excelling in exams like the IIT-JEE, is often cited as a significant factor behind the distressingly high rate of student suicides, despite coaching centers’ attempts to help students manage stress. Last year alone, the city witnessed 26 such tragedies.