What's to blame for rising UPSC student suicides?

The death by suicide on Saturday evening of a 28-yearold UPSC aspirant who allegedly jumped from the eighth floor of a building in Thane city has brought the focus back on the crisis affecting students preparing for competitive examinations.

- Vikrant Jha

One of the highest youth suicide rates, tragically, is reported in India. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, one student took their own life every 42 minutes in 2020, averaging 34 suicides per day.

A Lancet Southeast Asia report published this month revealed that India recorded 1,70,924 suicides in 2022, with students comprising 7.6% of the total cases. In the report, 2,248 student deaths were linked to exam failure. The report highlighted individual causes such as low selfesteem, high expectations, and history of abuse. According to a study conducted in 2023 by the LoknitiCSDS in Kota known as a coaching hub for UPSC aspirants more than 85% UPSC aspirants spend six to seven hours every day in coaching classes, some up to eight hours. The study found that students confirmed experiencing an increase in loneliness, mood swings, fatigue, anger, and depression since they moved to Kota.