‘I Am Sorry, Mother’: Maharashtra Student Dies by Suicide After NEET Re-Test

A heartbreaking incident from Maharashtra’s Hingoli district has once again drawn attention to the immense pressure faced by students preparing for competitive examinations. An 18-year-old medical aspirant allegedly died by suicide after recording an emotional farewell video for his mother, leaving his family and the local community in deep shock.

The student, identified as Sushil Dhage , had recently appeared for the NEET-UG re-examination , conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the earlier test amid an ongoing investigation into a question paper leak .

According to police officials, Sushil , a resident of Ashtavinayak Nagar in Hingoli city, allegedly jumped into a well on Wednesday morning. Before taking the extreme step, he reportedly recorded a 33-second video message on his mobile phone addressed to his mother.

In the video, Sushil apologised to her and urged her not to worry. He also expressed a wish to be born as her child again in his next life. The emotional message has left his family devastated and has sparked widespread concern among students, parents and educators.

Family members told police that Sushil had found the NEET re-test difficult and had been distressed after appearing for the examination. However, authorities have not yet established a direct connection between the examination and his death.

Police have registered an accidental death report and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials said they are examining all aspects of the case, including the family's claim that the student was troubled after taking the re-examination.

A police official associated with the probe stated that investigators are reviewing the family's complaint and trying to determine whether the examination played any role in the tragedy.

The incident comes against the backdrop of an intense national debate over competitive examinations and the mental burden on students . The NEET re-examination was conducted on June 21 after the cancellation of the original May 3 test amid allegations of irregularities. More than 22 lakh aspirants were expected to appear for the retest, making it one of the largest entrance examinations in the country.

As investigations continue, the tragedy has reignited conversations about student mental health , emotional support systems and the growing pressure associated with high-stakes examinations , issues that educators and policymakers increasingly view as requiring urgent attention.