NEET Aspirant Dies: In a deeply heartbreaking incident highlighting the mounting pressure on competitive exam aspirants, a 19-year-old medical aspirant tragically died by suicide at her residence in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district.
Identified by police as Ankita Sangle, a resident of Jalalpur village in Karjat taluka, she was found hanging at her home on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
According to media reports, Ankita took the extreme step after scoring 166 marks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination, falling just 11 marks short of the 177 qualifying cutoff score.
Tragic Incident Unfolds While Family Was Away
NEET Aspirant Dies: At the time of the incident, Ankita was alone at her residence as her parents and elder brother had traveled to Pandharpur to observe Ashadhi Ekadashi.
According to Karjat police station inspector Hanuman Gaikwad, nearby relatives checked on the house at around 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM and discovered her hanging from a ceiling fan.
Ankita had been preparing for the medical entrance test through online coaching classes while staying at home after completing her 12th grade in biological sciences.
Driven by a childhood dream of becoming a doctor, she had taken a gap year to secure an MBBS seat. However, the disappointment over the re-exam results reportedly pushed her into deep distress.
Heartwrenching Suicide Note Recovered by Police
NEET Aspirant Dies: Local authorities recovered a handwritten suicide note from the room, written in Marathi, expressing intense heartbreak and guilt over not meeting her family’s expectations.
In the note, Ankita cleared her family of any responsibility for her decision and described herself as an average student who failed to realize her dream.
“You gave me so much love, but I couldn’t fulfil even one of your wishes,” the note read, according to news reports. She addressed her mother, noting that she supported her like a friend in every difficulty, and thanked her elder brother for his overwhelming love and support.
“Even when I was studying for NEET, you sacrificed everything for me, and I failed… Brother, please take good care of Mom and Dad,” she added.
The Karjat police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating the matter further.
Mounting Stress Surrounding the NEET Examination
The tragic loss comes amidst a turbulent academic season for medical aspirants.
The NEET 2026 examination had faced significant controversy after allegations of paper leaks and administrative irregularities emerged, leading authorities to cancel the initial May 3 exam for over 2.27 million candidates and conduct a nationwide re-test on June 21.
According to media reports, this is the latest in a series of tragic incidents linked to exam-related anxiety in the state:
On June 20, a 21-year-old aspirant, Yash Gosavi from Nashik district, allegedly died by suicide a day before the re-test due to mental distress caused by the paper leak and re-examination uncertainty.
Around the same period, another 19-year-old candidate, Sheikh Sana, also died by suicide prior to the re-examination, leaving behind a brief apology note to her family.
The Urgent Need for Mental Health Awareness
The repeated instances of student distress following major entrance examinations underscore the severe mental pressure faced by young aspirants across the country.
Educational experts and mental health professionals continue to emphasize that academic competitive exams do not define an individual’s worth, urging families and institutions to prioritize psychological support systems for students during high-stress preparation periods.
Helpline and Support Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, mental pressure, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for immediate support:
Tele-MANAS (Govt. Helpline): 14416 or 1800-891-4416
KIRAN Mental Health Helpline: 1800-599-0019
Vandrevala Foundation: +91 9999 666 555
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