Kota, Rajasthan – In a heartbreaking incident, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district died by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan, just a day after the NEET-UG 2024 results were announced. The victim, Bagisha Tiwari, allegedly jumped from the ninth floor of a building in Jawahar Nagar on Wednesday evening. She succumbed to her injuries an hour later in a private hospital.

This tragic event marks the 11th case of suspected student suicide in Kota this year, adding to the alarming trend of student distress in India's coaching hub. Last year, the city witnessed 26 similar cases, the highest in recent years.

Bagisha Tiwari was preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (UG) at a coaching institute in Kota. She lived with her mother and brother, who is also preparing for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). The exact reason behind her drastic step remains unclear, but the police have launched an investigation.

The incident comes amid mounting scrutiny and outrage over the recent NEET-UG results, which have sparked widespread allegations of irregularities and mismanagement by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Reports of unprecedented perfect scores, dubious ranking lists, and the last-minute revelation of undisclosed grace marks have fueled suspicions of a compromised exam process.

Circle Inspector Harinarayan Sharma, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that Tiwari's body is currently at the mortuary of Maharao Bhim Singh (MBS) Hospital, awaiting post-mortem examination once her father arrives in Kota. Initial inquiries suggest she had appeared for the NEET-UG exam, but the motive behind her tragic decision remains uncertain.

Eyewitnesses reported that a woman tried to prevent Tiwari from jumping but was unable to stop her. Family members and others immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she could not be saved.

This incident highlights the severe mental and emotional toll that the ongoing NTA crisis is taking on students across the country. The need for a transparent and fair investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 results has never been more urgent.

Our thoughts are with Bagisha Tiwari's family and all those affected by this tragic loss. The broader issue of student mental health and the pressures of competitive exams must be addressed to prevent further tragedies.