A 21-year-old candidate in Uttar Pradesh and a student in Rajasthan were found dead after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled and a retest scheduled for June 21. At least 12 aspirants have died by suicide in the 37-day period preceding the re-exam.
The first death was reported in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, where a 21-year-old NEET aspirant was found to have died by suicide following the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 exam [1]. A second death occurred in Sikar, Rajasthan, where a student residing in a rented accommodation was discovered dead days before the retest scheduled for June 21 [2]. Both incidents are part of a series of twelve student suicides recorded across several states within 37 days after the original exam was called off [3].
The cancellations and subsequent retest involve the National Testing Agency (NTA), which announced the re-exam after allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities in the May 3 test [4]. The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition challenging the cancellation on May 17, confirming the NTA’s authority to conduct the June 21 retest [4]. Families of the deceased have linked the deaths directly to the stress and uncertainty created by the exam’s abrupt cancellation and the announcement of a new test date [1][2].
Background to the NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation and Retest
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses was administered on May 3, 2026, across India [4]. Within days, the NTA reported evidence of a paper leak and procedural irregularities, prompting the agency to cancel the exam and order a full re-test [4]. The decision was upheld by the Delhi High Court, which rejected a petition filed by a group of candidates seeking reinstatement of the original results [4].
The NTA subsequently released a schedule for the re-exam, setting June 21 as the new date and outlining revised guidelines for admission, dress code, and admit-card verification [4]. The agency also issued communications to participating institutions and candidates, emphasizing that the retest would replace the May 3 results for all applicants [4]. The abrupt change required aspirants to adjust preparation timelines and, in many cases, to re-register for the exam.
Background to the NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation and Retest The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses was administered on May 3, 2026, across India [4].
Incidents of Student Deaths
Two NEET-UG Aspirants Die by Suicide Ahead of June 21 Retest; Total Deaths Reach 12 in 37 Days
The advisory cites detection of multiple digitally altered OMR sheets and references the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, as the legal basis…
The first reported suicide involved a 21-year-old male from Lakhimpur Kheri who reportedly jumped from a height after his family linked his death to the NEET-UG cancellation [1]. Police investigations confirmed the manner of death as suicide, and local authorities recorded the incident as part of a broader pattern of distress among exam candidates [1].
In Rajasthan, a second aspirant was found dead in a rented room in Sikar; the student, a resident of Jhunjhunu district, had been preparing for the upcoming retest [2]. Police reports indicated no foul play and classified the death as a suicide. This case marked the second such incident in the state within a month, following earlier reports of a Dalit youth from Jhunjhunu who died after the retest announcement [3].
According to a compilation by the Indian Express, the total number of student suicides linked to the NEET-UG re-test rose to twelve within a 37-day window after the May 3 cancellation [3]. The victims ranged in age from 21 to 22 and were drawn from multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, highlighting a geographic spread of the phenomenon.
Impact on Students and Institutions
The series of deaths has prompted immediate concern among educational institutions, counseling services, and student bodies about mental-health support mechanisms. Colleges and coaching centers in affected regions have reported increased demand for psychological counseling and have begun coordinating with local health authorities to provide crisis helplines [3].
The NTA has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to student welfare, noting that it will work with state governments to enhance counseling resources ahead of the June 21 retest [4]. However, the agency has not altered the retest schedule, and candidates are required to appear for the exam as originally planned [4]. The ongoing investigations by police in both Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are expected to conclude within the next few weeks, with potential recommendations for policy changes regarding exam-related stress management [1][2].
Stakeholders, including parents, educators, and policymakers, are monitoring the situation closely as the June 21 date approaches. The immediate effect is heightened anxiety among aspirants who must balance intensive study demands with concerns over mental health and exam uncertainty [3]. Institutions are advised to communicate clearly with students about support services and to monitor at-risk individuals during the preparation period.
Impact on Students and Institutions The series of deaths has prompted immediate concern among educational institutions, counseling services, and student bodies about mental-health support mechanisms.
What: Two NEET-UG aspirants died by suicide ahead of the June 21 retest, bringing total related deaths to twelve in 37 days.
When: Incidents reported between mid-May and early June 2026; retest scheduled for June 21, 2026.
Impact: Highlights immediate mental-health concerns for medical-entrance candidates and prompts institutions to expand counseling support.
More than one-in-five CBSE Class 12 candidates applied for scanned answer sheets after the 2026 results, prompting a parliamentary briefing on the board’s digital marking…
NewsNews
News
