3 student deaths in 4 days: Fresh anti-NEET protests up in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Fresh protests against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) have erupted across Tamil Nadu after three students allegedly died by suicide within four days amid fear and stress linked to the medical entrance examination and its recent cancellation and re-examination.

The victims were identified as S Gopika, 19, from Salem district, R Roshini, 19, from Dharmapuri district, and C Vetri Anandhan, 20, from Krishnagiri district. All three had been preparing for NEET for several years and were due to appear for the re-examination conducted after the original test was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak.

Family members and investigators said the students had been experiencing severe mental stress after the examination was scrapped and a fresh test was announced. A note reportedly left behind by the Krishnagiri student indicated that he had been unable to sleep for a month and was struggling with fears of failure.

Gopika had been preparing for NEET for two years after completing higher secondary education in 2024. Police and family members said she continued her preparation without coaching support because her daily-wage worker parents could not afford the fees. Roshini and Vetri Anandhan had also spent years preparing for the examination and were reportedly under intense pressure before the re-test.

In a related incident, a student from Coonoor in Nilgiris district allegedly attempted suicide on Sunday, hours before the examination. She remains in critical condition at a private hospital.

The deaths have intensified demands for exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET. Political parties have accused the Centre of creating uncertainty and psychological distress among students through repeated controversies surrounding the examination. The DMK student wing has announced protests, while PMK and VCK leaders have renewed calls for either scrapping NEET nationwide or securing a separate exemption for Tamil Nadu.

Reports indicate that at least 12 students across India died by suicide during the 37 days between the cancellation of the original examination and the re-test.