Academic Pressure, Career Anxiety Among Top Stressors for Indian Students: IC3 Suicide Report 2025

1 in 5 students rarely feel motivated; 40% don’t know where to seek help in school, survey of 8,500 students reveals

Academic workload, uncertainty about careers, and heavy homework are the leading causes of stress among Indian students, according to the IC3 Student Suicide Aversion Report 2025. The study, based on responses from more than 8,500 students from grades 8 to 12 across the country, warns of widespread emotional distress and a serious lack of structured mental health and career support in schools.

The findings are stark:

1 in 5 students rarely feel calm, motivated or excited about life.

40% do not know where to seek help for mental well-being at school.

Nearly half have never received structured career counseling.

Girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to feel persistent sadness.

Three out of four Class 12 students are sleep-deprived due to academic pressure and overthinking.

“This is no longer a silent problem. It is a visible and urgent crisis,” said Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement. He added that while awareness has grown and more schools now offer counseling, “career anxiety continues to steal students’ sleep and peace of mind. Mental health cannot be treated as optional.”

Gendered Stress and Hidden Struggles

The report also highlights gender disparities. Girls are more likely to internalise stress and avoid professional help, while non-binary students reported the lowest levels of well-being. Friends often become the first point of contact for students in distress, but most peers lack the skills to provide effective support.

Career Uncertainty Fuelling Anxiety

Lack of access to career guidance emerged as a major stressor. Without clarity on future opportunities, many students reported heightened anxiety, compounding the academic overload already weighing them down.

Speakers including Dr. Indu Shahani of ATLAS SkillTech University and senior officials from the Ministry of Education called for counseling to be seen as core school infrastructure.

The report’s findings, however, underscore the urgency: unless systemic counseling and emotional support are made universally accessible, India’s students will continue to carry a heavy burden of stress and uncertainty.