By Abu Sufiyan
In India, competitive examinations such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams are pivotal milestones for students aspiring to build careers in medicine, engineering, and civil services. These exams, however, come with intense pressure, often leading to stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. The academic rigor, societal expectations, and fear of failure create a high-stakes environment that tests not only intellectual capabilities but also emotional resilience.
Nagasimha G Rao, Child rights activist from Bengaluru stated that, for over twenty-five years, I have been dedicated to upholding children’s right to education. One of the most critical needs I have observed is the necessity for counselling for students facing examinations, The question of “What to study next?” troubles many students, and answers are often not forthcoming from teachers or parents. Friends, too, may respond, but they are often equally confused. Trained counsellors play a vital role in addressing this confusion and guiding students toward clarity. Our team has provided counselling to numerous college students in Shidlaghatta Taluk, Chikkaballapur District, offering guidance on their future studies and how to approach examinations effectively.
NEET, JEE, UPSC: The Role of Psychological Counselling in Managing Exam Stress
The journey to succeed in NEET, JEE, or UPSC is grueling, with students often dedicating 10–12 hours daily to preparation, sacrificing sleep, social life, and personal well-being. 70% of UPSC aspirants experience stress and fear of underperformance, while 60% report feelings of loneliness. Similarly, NEET and JEE aspirants face anxiety due to the hyper-competitive nature of these exams, where securing a top rank is often seen as a prerequisite for a successful life
Rao said that many parents still perceive their children seeking psychological counselling as a stigma to their family, as I have observed from my experience. Students face immense pressure from multiple sources: the rigorous demands of academics, parental expectations, societal comparisons, and an inherent fear of failure. This stress often adversely affects their physical health as well. Counselling equips students with techniques to manage stress, but the challenge lies in students not consistently following the counsellor’s advice. This issue is particularly evident when students seek counselling only during exam periods. Based on my experience, if parents observe their child’s study patterns and behaviour and arrange for counselling two to three weeks before the exam, it can yield positive outcomes.
Initiatives taken from the government
The Supreme Court’s July 25, 2025, ruling marked a significant step by mandating comprehensive mental health safeguards across educational institutions, including coaching centers. Prompted by the tragic suicide of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam in 2023, the ruling requires institutions with over 100 students to appoint qualified mental health professionals and establish confidential grievance redressal mechanisms. Smaller institutions must have referral systems to external experts. The Court also mandated biannual staff training to identify distress signs and provide psychological first aid, with a focus on sensitive engagement with vulnerable groups like SC, ST, OBC, and LGBTQ+ students. In Karnataka, this ruling has led to increased oversight of coaching institutes in cities like Bengaluru and Hubballi.
The Indian government has recognized the mental health crisis among students and introduced several initiatives to address exam-related stress. The Ministry of Education’s Manodarpan program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides counseling helplines, live interactive sessions, and resources to support students’ mental well-being. By 2025, Manodarpan has reached lakhs of students across 767 districts, offering suicide prevention services and life skills training. In Karnataka, the state government has collaborated with Manodarpan to provide tele-counseling services, particularly in rural areas where access to mental health professionals is limited
From my observation, the counselling provided by the government is limited to career guidance, informing students about what to study and which courses are most suitable. Rao stated that this counselling typically happens after major exams. However, what is crucially needed is counselling before the exams, as it would provide students with emotional support.
Role of reservations like SC, ST, OBC, General and how they affect students
When I am conducting training or workshops on children’s rights in schools and colleges, discussions about discrimination often lead students to speak negatively about reservations, feeling that it causes them injustice. Rao highlighted that reservations are a constitutional provision to ensure opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. There is a need to create proper awareness about why reservations are necessary. Without this, some students may fall into depression, believing they are being unfairly treated.
Recent child suicide cases: Need for urgent counselling
The rising number of student suicides highlights the urgent need for effective counseling. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,000 students died by suicide in India in 2022, with academic stress and exam failure cited as major causes. In Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh accounted for 44% of student suicides in 2019, with Karnataka reporting 862 cases. In Kota, India’s coaching capital, 24 student suicides were reported between January 2022 and February 2025, with 25 linked to NEET and JEE preparation.
In Karnataka, a notable case involved an 18-year-old NEET aspirant in Bengaluru who died by suicide in 2024, citing academic pressure and fear of failure in a suicide note. Another case in Mangaluru involved a 17-year-old JEE aspirant who took her life in 2023, unable to cope with the pressure of coaching classes.
Rao noted that in 2012-13, Bengaluru city alone recorded 92 child suicide cases, with nine children having taken their lives. Among them, three children left notes stating that their voices were not valued and their opinions were disregarded. Children have the right to participate, and parents, communities, schools, and the government must understand this clearly. Providing children with life, development, and protection is not enough; it is equally important to value their voices. When children feel their opinions are ignored, it can lead to depression. They may internalise their pain and struggles, unable to share them with anyone. In today’s mobile-driven era, children face even more challenges. When they feel their voices are not heard, they often refrain from speaking out about the harassment or exploitation they experience. Parents should spend more time with their children, engaging with them as friends. Schools and colleges must also foster a supportive environment for children. Civil authorities should appoint counsellors in schools and colleges to provide emotional and psychological support to children.
Donation for acquiring seats
The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, prohibits schools from collecting donations. However, since colleges are not covered under this Act, the practice of collecting donations continues unabated. As a result, children from economically disadvantaged families are deprived of the opportunity to pursue education in their preferred educational or technical institutions. This issue significantly impacts children’s mental well-being. In such cases, educational institutions and banks should fulfil their social responsibility by providing opportunities to these children. If a girl or boy is experiencing depression, the entire community must offer support. Only then can we truly uphold the rights of children.
