NHRC notice to NMC over alleged suicide of three NEET aspirants in Rajasthan

Three NEET aspirants in Rajasthan reportedly died by suicide a few days ago, NHRC has now sent notices to the Chief Secretary, of Rajasthan, the Union Secretary of Higher Education and the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission.

Three students preparing for the NEET entrance examinations have reportedly died by suicide in Rajasthan a few days ago. 

National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of the media report that three students of a coaching centre died by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan on December 11, 2022. 

As per the media report, two of the deceased students were from Bihar and the third one was from Madhya Pradesh. All three students were taking coaching classes for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) – the exam for medical colleges, said the NHRC statement.

The tragic incident has highlighted the issue of the huge amount of pressure teenagers are going through to secure seats in the highly competitive medical and engineering entrance examinations.

"The Commission has observed that that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a grave issue of human rights. Over the years, Kota has become a hub of private coaching centers for the aspirants of the National Entrance Eligibility Test (NEET). They are charging a very hefty amount. Students, from across the country, are staying in hostels/paying guest houses with a high expectation of success. This is putting them under a lot of pressure. There is a need to regulate private coaching institutes," added NHRC statement.

NHRC recommendations

The Commission feels that there is a need to formulate a regulatory mechanism and since the regulation of higher education is of the state subject, the need for evolving mechanism shall fall upon the state, in consultation with the Central government. NHRC has sent notices to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Rajasthan, the Secretary, of Higher Education, the Union Ministry of Education, and the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, calling for reports.

The Chairperson of the National Medical Commission is expected to inform about initiating some progressive and student-friendly mechanisms to get success in NEET without being subjected to huge mental and psychological pressure while undergoing coaching in private institutions, added NHRC statement.

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