NEET paper leak row: Madhya Pradesh aspirant dies by suicide after exam cancellation

A NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh's Mauganj district died by suicide after reportedly falling into depression following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination amid the paper leak controversy, according to her family.

The student, identified as Akanksha Chaturvedi, had appeared for the medical entrance examination that was later cancelled by the Centre following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination has been scheduled for June 21.

According to reports, Akanksha left behind a note stating that she no longer had the courage to take the examination again. Her family said she had been under severe emotional distress since the cancellation of the exam and was struggling to cope with the uncertainty surrounding the re-test.

Family members told media outlets that significant financial sacrifices had been made to support her preparation. According to media reports, the family had borrowed nearly ₹3 lakh for her coaching and studies.

The incident has reignited concerns about the psychological toll of the NEET-UG controversy on students preparing for one of the country's most competitive entrance examinations.

The cancellation of the May 3 examination affected more than 22 lakh candidates across India and abroad after allegations of a paper leak prompted the government to order a fresh test and a probe into the matter.

Akanksha's death is not the first such case reported following the cancellation of the examination. In recent weeks, multiple reports have emerged from different states of NEET aspirants allegedly taking their own lives after the exam was scrapped and a re-test announced.

The issue has also triggered political reactions. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi described the incident as a consequence of a "broken system" and criticised the handling of the examination process amid the ongoing paper leak controversy.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled after allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities surfaced. The matter is being investigated, while the National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Supreme Court that enhanced security measures have been put in place for the re-examination scheduled later this month.

The tragedy has renewed calls for greater attention to student mental health, particularly during high-stakes examinations, as families and education experts continue to raise concerns over the emotional impact of prolonged uncertainty on aspirants.